Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, Inc. has concluded its mission leading the Lee County Unmet Needs Long-Term Recovery Group (LTRG), a collaborative effort of local nonprofit, faith-based and community organizations that helped Lee County families recover from Hurricane Ian.
While the LTRG mission has concluded, Catholic Charities continues to work with families and individuals in the community providing assistance to those who are struggling to recover from the devastating hurricane which struck the region on Sept. 28, 2022.
“We have been honored to serve as the lead in the Long-Term Recovery effort,” said Christopher M. Root, CEO of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, “but we serve the community every day. We were here before the storm and are still here ensuring the recovery continues.”
Since 2022, the LTRG has provided $3.74 million in disaster recovery assistance, helping 6,223 individuals and supporting families as they repaired or replaced homes, addressed essential needs and worked toward long-term stability.
The program’s accomplishments include:
- 6,223 individuals helped (982 through direct Unmet Needs Table Assistance and 5,241 through HUD Micro-Grant Program’s network)
- 205 storm-damaged homes repaired
- 149 homes replaced for families whose homes were beyond repair
- 9 accessibility upgrades completed
Catholic Charities was chosen as the lead agency and co-funder of the LTRG, working in partnership with the Lee County Board of County Commissioners, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through the CDBG-DR program, and numerous nonprofit, faith-based and community organizations.
“This program is a powerful example of what can happen when a community comes together with a shared commitment to help our neighbors,” Root said. “We are grateful to the many partners, donors, volunteers and community members who helped us walk alongside families as they rebuilt their lives. Recovery does not happen alone, or overnight, and this effort showed what is possible when we work together.”
While the LTRG program has concluded, the recovery from Hurricane Ian continues for many Lee County families. The completion of this program marks the end of one coordinated recovery effort – not the end of the road for every family still rebuilding.
Catholic Charities remains committed to its mission of “Providing Help. Creating Hope. Serving All.” and to serving individuals and families throughout Southwest Florida, including those impacted by future disasters.
If you need help due to hardships caused by Hurricane Ian, or are in need of any other assistance, please visit https://catholiccharitiesdov.org/.
