By Brittany Evans | National Grants Manager
This year marks the 2-year anniversary of Hurricane Laura, serving as a sobering reminder that the impacts of disaster are felt long after they occur. Since Hurricane Laura destroyed homes and lives across southwest Louisiana in 2020, SBP has rebuilt over 100 homes for the most vulnerable survivors. Currently, SBP is the only remaining rebuilding nonprofit supporting the long-term recovery of the region. Your support has made this incredible work possible -- thank you!
For SBP clients like Daniel, home is everything. Daniel is a native Louisianan, born and raised in Moss Bluff with his family before moving to Vinton as an adult. Daniel is developmentally disabled and has some physical limitations, so his sister Becky, who lives only miles away in Starks, cares for him. Daniel was working at the local grocery store, Albertsons, before being laid off due to COVID. When Hurricane Laura made landfall in August of 2020, Daniel and Becky evacuated together. Directly after the hurricane, Daniel went back to his property and stayed there with no water or electricity. Eventually, Daniel moved in with Becky when the home was deemed unlivable, but even then the family was forced to live without power for another few weeks.
For Becky, the greatest struggle throughout all of this was getting assistance from FEMA. “The red tape and stress of trying to get help with his situation was tremendously overwhelming,” Becky recalls. Living on a fixed income, Daniel doesn’t have homeowners insurance and couldn’t afford to rebuild on his own. Becky was thankful when her best friend referred the family to SBP for repair services. With support from Citgo, SBP removed and replaced the home’s moldy insulation and drywall, repaired damaged subflooring, installed vinyl plank flooring, replaced the windows and repaired damaged siding on the exterior. After SBP completed the repairs for Daniel, Becky said “stability means so much to Daniel. You have no idea what this means to our family.”
Thanks to you, SBP was able to help clients like Daniel and many others in southwest Louisiana return to safe, secure housing. We are so grateful for your support.
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