United Way of South Sarasota County

Long-Term Recovery Group Partners with World Renew

Sometimes, help comes from the most usual spaces, like a Michigan-based team of philanthropists assisting in Florida residents’ reconstruction needs. But, the important part is that it comes in many forms, and our communities are all the more grateful for the helping hands.

Fox 4’s Victoria Scott interviewed LTRG’s John Livingston, director of construction with the Sarasota County’s Long-Term Recovery Group as the team, working with World Renew, was able to help a woman back into her home for the first time since Ian.

Hurricane Ian Devastated Florida Communities

From Sept. 23 to Sept. 30, 2022, a massive storm that began in the Atlantic Ocean, hit Cuba as a Category 3 Hurricane. By the time it reached Florida’s shores, it was already a Category 5. It was named the third-costliest weather disaster on record worldwide. It was the deadliest storm to strike Florida since 1935, with 149 people dying in Florida alone as a result of Hurricane Ian.

It is no wonder that Sarasota County is still recovering from this devastating hurricane, more than a year-and-a-half after its destruction.

The Sarasota County Long-Term Recovery Group (LTRG) is a cooperative body that is made up of representatives from faith-based, non-profit, government, business, and other organizations working within a community to assist individuals and families as they recover from disaster. It was formed soon after the magnitude of Ian was understood.

The new technology added to the county will help more than the laptop winners, area schools, and local students.

Victoria Scott, of Fox 4 in Southwest Florida, was on the scene yesterday to provide a special report to discuss a new addition to the LTRG team of helping hands.

Hilda Dutton, the United Way of South Sarasota County’s director of Resilience and Recovery, is a chairwoman and case manager on the LTRG board, wanted to find people in the community still dealing with storm damage. Dutton approached those still unable to return to their homes, reaching out even when the homeowners had not yet asked for help.

In one of the six projects LTRG currently has in progress, a woman was not only still not in her home but had also been a victim of crime.

“After I spoke with her, I realized she had been a victim of fraud from a public adjuster,” said Dutton in the Fox 4 report. “They left it in a state where she didn’t even have water or working bathrooms. She couldn’t sleep [in the home]. I mean, the house was uninhabitable.”

Victoria Scott, left, of Fox 4, was on the scene yesterday with United Way’s Hilda Dutton, the director of resilience and recovery, to hear how one woman would now be able to return home for the first time since 2022’s Hurricane Ian.

A New Partner

Thankfully, a partnership with a nonprofit called World Renew has made a world of difference for homeowners like this woman. From carpentry, to drywall, this team of dedicated volunteers has been hard at work fixing all that has been destroyed in the hurricane.

United Way of South Sarasota County’s Chris Johnson is the vice chair of the LTRG. He said the assistance has been amazing.

“We are continuing a process,” said Johnson. “This is a skilled coalition of laborers from all around the country and Canada. They fly around and help communities.”

When asked to put a value on this assistance, Johnson said the help already donated would have cost somewhere around $1.6 million. Instead, this nonprofit has truly stepped up to the plate so that Sarasota County residents can return home.

World Renew’s Deb DeKuiper, of Traverse City, Michigan, says that the entire experience has been wonderful.

“We bond together, like just a huge family,” said DeKuiper. “Not only are we bonding with our clients, but we’re bonding with the people we meet.”

To view the full coverage of one woman’s ability to return to her home, via Fox 4, visit https://www.fox4now.com/north-port-englewood/north-port-homeowner-receives-gift-of-a-lifetime-help-with-repairs-to-her-ian-damaged-home.

How You Can Help

For more information on the LTRG program, visit https://uwssc.org/sarasota-county-long-term-recovery-group. On this website, those still suffering from Ian’s wrath can also explain their needs. The LTRG hosts meetings each month, open to the community. Community meetings are held on the last Friday of each month at 9 a.m. EST via Zoom. All are welcome to attend this meeting and learn more!

To join the LTRG Committee, you can also reach out during a meeting or via the United Way at 941-484-4811. Anyone with a passion or skill set in a specific area can lend a helping hand. To donate financially to support LTRG, click here.

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