In·trep·id:

1) characterized by resolute fearlessness, fortitude, and endurance
2) extremely brave
3) a person of action that embodies courage

Entering young adulthood is an incredible adventure while also being, at times, a daunting experience that requires courage, strength, and tenacity. At INTREPID, we work with young adults to embody courage in the face of adversity, endurance in the hard times, and fortitude in pursuing one’s goals.

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”

– Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

What We Do

INTREPID offers an individualized approach for young adults ages 18-25 with a focus on connection, pursuing independence, and developing a well-rounded lifestyle. We provide a supportive community experience invested in the goals that each young adult identifies for themselves.

Our team collaborates with each young adult to develop and pursue a Life Plan directed by their strengths, interests, and needs while navigating the opportunities and challenges that often arise in young adulthood. We are passionate about exploring new opportunities in our local community while developing daily routines that support a wide range of skills needed to navigate the broader world.

Each young adult works with our team to develop an individualized Life Plan built on a foundation of self-care, connection to meaningful relationships, independence, finding purpose and meaning, developing life skills, and pursuing education and career.

Black Mountain and Asheville are incredible local communities to pursue meaningful connections, new opportunities, and forge a path toward independence. We are intentionally located within these communities and collaborate with a broad range of partners so each young adult experiences all our vibrant and supportive community offers.

Honoring Neurodiversity

We appreciate and honor the strengths and challenges that come with being neurodiverse. We care deeply about the young adults we partner with in their day-to-day journey. It is incredible to share their triumphs, celebrate their individuality, and walk alongside them through life’s challenging moments.

Developing A Life Plan

In collaboration with each young adult, our team helps develop a Life Plan, including realistic goals and routines focused on each of these areas:

Self-Care

Healthy routines & habits, including diet, sleep, and physical activity
Managing one’s medical care
Engaging in outpatient therapy and pursuing mental wellness

Connection

Friendship
Family
Community relationships
Employers and professors

Independence

Self-reliance
Self-advocacy
Resilience
Managing work and educational routines

Purpose

Interests & Hobbies
Discovering Passions
Meaningful community engagement, including service

Life Skills

Daily living
Meal planning and preparation
Skills acquisition towards independence including a budget, hygiene, house maintenance, work, study skills

College & Career

Exploration
Experience
Pursuit

Three Educational Paths

High School Completion

In collaboration with our partner school, Black Mountain Academy, with opportunities to eventually pursue dual enrollment courses at our local community college.

College Track

Focused on part-time to full-time enrollment at our local community college or one of our local 4-year colleges or universities.

Career Track

Pursuing training in a specific trade or career field with the potential of earning an associate’s degree and/or apprenticeship opportunities.

High School Completion

In collaboration with our partner school, Black Mountain Academy, with opportunities to eventually pursue dual enrollment courses at our local community college.

College Track

Focused on part-time to full-time enrollment at our local community college or one of our local 4-year colleges or universities.

Career Track

Pursuing training in a specific trade or career field with the potential of earning an associate’s degree and/or apprenticeship opportunities.

College & Career Track

Our team provides intentional guidance for each young adult’s college and career plans, including opportunities to explore careers and further education up to and including supported college enrollment and placement in jobs and internships. We partner with the following local colleges and universities:

Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College

UNC Asheville

Warren Wilson College

Montreat College

Each individual will participate in a formal college and career exploration course, including personality and career assessment, preparing for and enrolling in college, and finding success in further education. We also provide vocational exploration with options for work experience, teaching in specialized vocational fields, and the potential for apprenticeships that lead to a meaningful career path.

Supported Employment

Our team provides coaching and guidance toward finding and maintaining employment. We focus on job exploration, resume building, preparing for formal interviews, and skills to navigate the complex interpersonal dynamics that emerge at work.

Community Recreation and Lifestyle Options

We love finding outlets for our young adult’s interests, hobbies, and passions. There is much to do in Black Mountain and Asheville, and we constantly explore new avenues for adventure, friendship, recreation, and leisure. While the list continues to evolve, some of the activities that we pursue each week are:

Weekly Clubs

Dungeons & Dragons

Magic the Gathering

Indoor and Outdoor Basketball

Hiking

Disc Golf

Bowling

Escape Rooms

Mountain Biking

Laser Tag

Indoor Soccer

Golf

Minigolf

Swimming

Snow tubing

Skiing / Snowboarding

Visual and Perfomring Arts

Geocaching

River Tubing

Fishing

Ziplining

Canoeing

Basket Weaving Classs

Pottery Classs

Movies at Local Theaters

Rock Climbing Gym

Regional YMCAs

Asheville’s River Arts District

Well Played (Gaming Cafe)

Gamer’s Haunt (Gaming Store)

Retrocade (Arcade)

Local Literary & Book Clubs

Exploring Local History

Concerts and Plays

Daily Life

We work to start our day well with a balanced morning routine before heading into our activities, jobs, classes, community service, or an internship. Each day is guided by personal goals and advocating for the support needed to accomplish them. Typically the day will vary depending on the individualized schedule of each member of our community.

Evening routines focus on building connections on our campus and the community. A typical evening will include meals together, activities, and taking care of homework or household and personal responsibilities. Our team helps coach toward healthy routines that bolster independence and time well spent with one another.

Intentional Skills Development

We know that self-exploration and self-awareness are crucial to identity formation for every young adult. We are passionate about seeking opportunities that allow individuals to discover who they are, search for meaning through connection and experience, and get to know themselves more deeply.

Self-advocacy is also integral to navigating the many demands of young adulthood and forging a path for oneself. Our team supports self-advocacy in tangible ways within day-to-day life, with one’s family, and the broader community.

Forging meaningful connections through healthy relationships at work and school is crucial to our adult lives. Learning how to navigate the transition into adulthood within one’s family is also vital. Our team works to develop relationships that bring meaning, fulfillment, and balance to everyday life.

Independence is the ability to navigate new opportunities and face challenges while knowing what support to rely on to be successful. We center ourselves on healthy routines and daily living skills that increase independence in clear and tangible ways.

Executive Function skills support a balanced, organized, and goal-oriented approach to daily demands. We help identify and develop these skills in ways that directly and positively impact achieving one’s goals and managing the competing demands of life.

Intentional Support

Developing independence is not an easy task and requires the support of others who share similar goals and can offer guidance along the way. Our team is dedicated to providing you with the necessary coaching and support you need to manage the stressors of life as a young adult while pursuing your goals. We offer a range of clinical and psychiatric care services to ensure that you are on track to achieve your goals and live a life of joy, meaning, and fulfillment.

Clinical Support

We provide outpatient therapeutic support for each young adult in collaboration with a local licensed clinician experience in working with young adults. Our team also offers on-campus clinical support and clinically informed coaching for areas critical to each individual we work with.

Independent Living Skills

We guide each young adult as they develop practical skills that lead to increasing autonomy and self-reliance. Our team provides coaching in daily living skills that bolster healthy routines, a balanced lifestyle, and problem-solving. We know the ability to navigate the many demands of life as a young adult while taking care of daily responsibilities is foundational to sustained independence.