Help is needed. We can find it. And we know you can: Help us. Help them.
High Country Hopes is a veteran-led, veteran-focused nonprofit working to fight homelessness and housing insecurity in the Appalachian region. We provide practical support through events, resource fairs, and partnerships with local shelters and service providers. Our work is grounded in fierce transparency, ruthless efficiency, and a deep belief in community-powered change. Through outreach, mentorship, and grassroots events, we aim to offer not just a helping hand, but the opportunity to build stability and connection.
Kenny Evans started High Country Hopes with one driving belief: no one should be invisible in
their own community.
Growing up in Appalachia, he saw firsthand how easily people slip through the
cracks—especially veterans and folks facing housing insecurity. That stuck with him. HCH was
born out of a need to do something about it.
As Founder and Chair, Kenny focuses on building trust, creating access, and keeping the work
rooted in real relationships—not red tape. His goal isn't to reinvent the wheel—it's to get
resources where they're needed, faster and with fewer barriers. Whether it's launching
hands-on projects like Booger Boxes or organizing grassroots events like Operation: Mountain
Thunder, his priority is always the same: show up, stay transparent, and move the needle for
people who've been told to wait.
For Kenny, this work is personal. It's not about charity—it's about dignity, connection, and
making sure hope isn't a luxury.
Raised in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains, Andy witnessed firsthand the resilience and hardship faced by many in his community. But alongside the struggle, he also experienced the profound richness of Blue Ridge culture—its deep traditions, unbreakable bonds, and enduring spirit. These roots shaped Andy's values, perspective, and sense of purpose.
Andy's commitment to High Country Hopes is not just a gesture—it's a promise to give back to the region and the people who helped raise him. Through this work, he aims to uplift and empower the very communities that molded him, honoring the past while building a more hopeful future.
Sebastian brings a dynamic mix of global experience and hometown passion to High Country Hopes. With a background spanning project management, policy strategy, and humanitarian logistics, he's always been driven by a deep commitment to making a meaningful impact. After growing up in Atlanta and working across Asia, he's returned to the city to help shape the future of business, technology, and community support. When he's not advising startups or championing sustainability, you'll find him enjoying live music or reminiscing about his days playing rugby. Sebastian is excited to be part of HCH, working to build stronger, more connected communities in the Appalachian region.
Cory Poudrier is an active-duty Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy and a dedicated advocate for veterans experiencing homelessness. Coming from a proud family of Navy service—his grandfathers, father, and brother all having served—Cory has always felt a deep connection to those who wear the uniform. His passion for supporting veterans stems from witnessing the homelessness crisis in San Diego, his first duty station, and a strong desire to make a lasting impact.
Now living and working in Washington, D.C., Cory serves as a co-founder of High Country Hopes, working to provide essential resources, housing assistance, and pathways to stability for veterans in the Appalachian region. Through his military leadership and nonprofit work, he is committed to fostering real solutions that restore dignity, opportunity, and hope to those who have given so much in service to our country.
Outside of his professional and nonprofit endeavors, Cory remains dedicated to strengthening veteran communities and ensuring that those in need receive the support they deserve.
Lee Fudger is a lawyer by training, at his core, he's an advocate for those often overlooked. With a heart for justice and a no-frills approach to service, Lee has spent his career helping people navigate systems that were not built with helping in mind. Whether in the courtroom or in the community, his work is grounded in empathy, accountability, and action.
As a co-founder and Secretary of High Country Hopes, Lee brings both legal expertise and lived compassion to the table. He sees HCH not as a charity—but as a necessary force for equity, dignity, and belonging. The work is about more than aid; it's about changing how help happens.
A former rugby player, Lee brings that same grit and teamwork to everything he does with HCH—staying grounded, moving with purpose, and never backing down when it comes to doing what's right.
