Resilience and Accessibility for St. John Homes

In 2018, The Resilient Housing Initiative was created in response to the destruction caused by Hurricanes Irma and Maria. The homes we worked on initially were among the most critically impacted, and generally considered to be full rebuild projects. As a disaster preparedness and response organization, the goal of these repairs was not only to return our clients to safe and secure housing, but to ensure that the buildings will be more resilient in the future.

A key component of resilience is flexibility. In 2019 we completed major repairs to the home of a senior resident, and have continued to offer assistance through our other programs including COVID-19 food deliveries, and regular wellness check visits. During these visits, we learned that this resident had developed mobility issues, and could no longer utilize the stairs to safely move in and out of the home. We mobilized resources to build an access ramp for this client, to alleviate the challenge for both him and his caregivers. 

Recovery work is not static. Circumstances are constantly changing in the environmental, economic and social climate, as well as the personal needs of the community we serve. In all of our projects we strive for sustainability with a commitment to adaptability, knowing that we will always evolve to meet and address challenges.

We are proud to report that the accessibility ramp was successfully built to allow for a senior resident of St. John to safely maneuver in and out of his home. With your support, we can continue to provide these meaningful services to our island community.

As the end of the year fast approaches, we reflect on the progress we have made while looking forward to future collaborations.

The common thread throughout every Love City Strong program is the emphasis on building community resilience through training, resource development, and a comprehensive internal preparedness and response plan. Our strength is amplified by the teams of community members utilized in rebuilds, trained in emergency medical skills, and through the number of people returned to storm safe homes.

All of the construction projects completed in 2023 are examples of successful public private partnerships. Our capacity as a group is directly linked to the the support and flexiblity of our donors, who trust us to adapt our programs to the changing needs of the island. We rely on local businesses, organizations, and private donors of all levels to tailor the work to each unique project, and in such a small community we can really feel the impact. 

The majority of our repairs this past year related to increased accessiblity for seniors and other residents with limited mobility. The objective is to reinforce storm damaged homes, building back with an eye towards mitigating damage from future impacts. None of these projects, big or small, would be possible without your support. 

From all of us at Love City Strong, we wish you and your family a safe and healthy holiday season. We continue to be humbled by your generosity, and look forward to sharing our work with you in the new year. 

Links:

• Our Executive Director speaks about Disaster Housing Programs