Strongward

10/16/2026

KaRon Jackson had been a homeowner just three years before Hurricane Milton threatened to take it all away.

Following recent storms like Hurricane Isaias that continue to test communities facing some of the highest disaster risks in the country, his story stands as a reminder of why effective long-term recovery is so critical.

With his home finally rebuilt two years after Milton, he’s getting back the stability he worked for and emerging stronger.

Read KaRon's story below:
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/pushing-forward-after-hurricane-milton-karons-story-wearestrongward-z347e

10/11/2026

Strongward has been actively monitoring the impact of Hurricane Isaias as state and local authorities begin conducting assessments to determine the scale of damage.

Check out the graphic for more information on how we’re working with our partners and communities for the days and weeks ahead.

Our hearts go out to everyone in the impacted region, and we encourage you to contact us for resources to help you navigate the recovery process.

wearestrongward.org/contact/

10/09/2026

We are closely monitoring Hurricane Isaias and thinking of everyone in its path, including the local leaders along the northern Gulf Coast who are making decisions that will shape how their communities come through the storm.

One resource for those leaders is the Strongward Risk Navigator, a free online tool that helps you understand your community’s top disaster risks and take action. It was designed for local government leaders, nonprofit administrators, and public officials responsible for disaster planning, funding, and compliance.

The tool provides a tailored, step-by-step action plan covering planning, implementation, and funding, plus guides, tools, and case studies for a community’s specific hazards, all in one place for leaders navigating the long-term recovery process.

Risk Navigator is free to use: advise.wearestrongward.org

10/08/2026

Hurricane Isaias is in the forecast, so take time now to get your household ready.

Check the National Hurricane Center for the latest forecast, and follow your local emergency management office and local officials for updates on impacts in your area, evacuation orders, shelters, road closures, and available resources.

Here are other things you can do now:

➡️ Pull your supplies together in one place and talk through your household plan. Everyone should know what to do, where to go, and how to get there, whether you're staying home or evacuating. Don't forget your pets: food, water, medications, and a safe place to take them if you need to leave.

➡️ Put important documents in a waterproof storage (resealable plastic bags work well) and keep digital copies too. Take a few minutes to review your flood insurance policy and who to contact to file a claim. If you can, look over the claim steps and the documentation your insurer may ask for.

➡️ If you have time, clear drains and gutters, trim loose branches, and secure outdoor items.

➡️ Finally, check in with family and neighbors about how you can support each other before, during, and after the storm.

Strongward believes effective community recovery begins with preparedness.

10/07/2026

Strongward is grateful to the many partners and volunteers who participated in our Helene/Milton Anniversary Commemoration Event last week in Tarpon Springs, one of the many communities in Florida devastated by the back-to-back hurricanes two years ago.

The volunteers did exterior work around a home that is still in the recovery journey.

Special thanks to Farmers Insurance, American Red Cross, Endeavors, Bay Area Legal Services, and Pinellas and Hillsborough United in Recovery LTRG.

Thank you to the homeowners Strongward has helped who attended the event. You all are reminders of what it means to be strong.

Building connections and partnerships like these is one of the ways we work together to build long-term recovery for communities so they can emerge stronger after a disaster.

10/01/2026

Two years after Hurricane Helene damaged her home, Florida resident Crissy is still waiting to move back in.

On October 1, Strongward volunteers spent the day painting and doing yard work at her Tarpon Springs house, part of the ongoing work to rebuild her home.

Thank you to WFLA for being there to tell her story.

WFLA News Channel 8

Watch the clip:

Two years after Hurricanes Helene and Milton, recovery is still far from over for some families. In Tarpon Springs, one homeowner is still rebuilding her nearly 100-year-old house. Now, she's getting some help.

09/30/2026

Crissy experienced waves of turmoil after Hurricane Helene two years ago, including disappointment, anxiety, and uncertainty. Today, she is hopeful, and feels calm after the storm.

Read more here: https://bit.ly/4rGLnmN

09/29/2026

Cyndi Brindley went from advocating for her WWII veteran father to advocating for herself through two life-changing disasters, Hurricanes Helen and Milton.

Read on to discover Cyndi’s courage, faith, and perseverance, where giving up was an option but never chosen. Read more: https://lnkd.in/p/gVa246xA

09/28/2026

More than 11,800 families eligible for Strongward's recovery services are still waiting to rebuild after Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Two years later, the need is still there in some of the hardest-hit communities. It's just harder to see.

Financial hardship after a storm builds slowly. Savings run out, repair timelines drag on, and the hardest stretch of recovery often comes once the headlines have moved on.

Since the storms hit, Strongward has rebuilt 119 homes and helped secure more than $3.5 million in FEMA assistance for over 900 people who would have missed it without help navigating the process.

That progress has come from more than 250 institutions and 4,000 individuals who have supported this work. But recovery isn't finished, and neither are we.

Support Strongward's Helene and Milton recovery work: https://give.wearestrongward.org/campaign/844016/donate

09/21/2026

Securing a federal grant is only the beginning. Knowing how to manage it effectively is just as important.

As federal funding becomes more competitive and grant requirements more complex, organizations need the knowledge and systems to navigate the entire grant lifecycle with confidence.

Join Strongward’s new training course, Practical Grant Management, a two-day, in-person course designed to turn complex federal grant requirements into practical, actionable strategies.

Whether you’re pursuing new funding or managing an existing award, this course will help you build the skills to move from grant opportunity to successful implementation.

Ready to strengthen your grant management skills? Register Now: