FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – As the anniversary of Hurricane Irma passed recently, its aftermath is still very present for several thousand Broward residents. Lasting damage to homes and finances continues to be an issue for over 400 families being assisted by the Long-Term Recovery Coalition of Broward County (LTRC). Made up of approximately 50 local partners representing non-profit, government, businesses and faith-based organizations, the LTRC has provided resources and supports to those still affected.
Retired Hollywood residents Diana and Carol experienced considerable home and furniture damage during the storm. The LTRC was able to procure a sofa bed, sheets, clothes household items and weekly meal deliveries through partner Meals on Wheels and funding from the United Way of Bro-ward, as well as ongoing food box deliveries from Feeding South Florida. In addition, the Disaster Case Manager from another partner, Hispanic Unity of Florida, helped them complete applications for transportation assistance and other safety net programs, as well as additional financial support.
“You literally saved our lives,” said Diana, who is disabled. “Carol now will have food stamps and Medicaid. We both would have been homeless and hungry. The food and encouragement were so needed at a time when we could only pray, not daring to hope. Like angels, God sent you and our prayers were answered. Thank you for helping and thank God for sending you to us.”
The Brown family from Plantation, consisting of a single mom with a disabled child, had also suffered extensive storm damage to their apartment. LTRC partner United Way helped them find temporary housing and the Disaster Case Manager from Memorial Healthcare helped to place the child in a special needs daycare through Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care Services (PPEC), among other supports from other agencies.
Organizations and businesses interested in supporting the work of the LTRC should contact Bill Condon at bill@ccbroward.org. Broward County Residents affected by Hurricane Irma and needing assistance should call 211 to register and have a Disaster Case Manager assigned to them.
About the Long-Term Recovery Coalition of Broward County
The mission of the Long-Term Recovery Coalition of Bro-ward County is to achieve efficient, effective long-term disaster recovery by coordinating and collaboration among its members in order to address the unmet needs of the community. The Long-Term Recovery Coalition of Broward County is a humanitarian association of nonprofits, governmental agencies, faith based organizations, and businesses with disaster capabilities or resources that respond to a declared disaster locally. It is not a competing or exclusionary organization. It is intended to be a network for organizations active in disaster recovery. Each Recovery Coalition member will maintain its own identity and independence while closely collaborating with other member organizations. It will foster cooperation among its members at all levels and in all phases of disaster.
About the Coordinating Council of Broward
The mission of the Coordinating Council of Broward is to unite government, business and nonprofit leaders in advocacy and coordination of health and human services in Broward County. The Coordinating Council of Broward (CCB) is composed of the top executives of state and county entities from the public, private and business sectors, who are responsible for funding and implementing a broad array of health, public safety, education, economic and human services in Broward County. The Council’s goal is to better coordinate services and identify barriers that the ALICE (Asset Limited Income Constrained Employed) population experience. ALICE represents 47% of Broward County residents. The CCB has identified housing as the most critical issue facing this population and is coordinating a unified voice in bringing forth solutions to address this crisis.
