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As we mark the two-year anniversary of Hurricane Ian,
United Way of Collier and the Keys (UWCK) is reflecting on the long-lasting impact the storm has had on our community. Many residents are still recovering, and just as they continue to rebuild, Hurricane Helene recently posed another serious threat, leaving areas with storm surge damage.
We’d like to share the story of Mr. Smith, a Naples resident who is now living in his renovated home thanks to the support of UWCK and our community partners. After Hurricane Ian, Mr. Smith returned to find significant flood damage to his kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, and more. Though he began repairs on his own, with help from neighbors, he soon realized he needed more assistance.
That’s when he connected with United Way of Collier and the Keys. Our disaster case managers helped Mr. Smith navigate the complex process of securing permits and gathering the resources needed to rebuild. "The United Way was instrumental in getting me over the hump—from survival to living in the property again," Mr. Smith shared.
Carolina Heiser, UWCK's Community Impact Coordinator, noted, "He was very open about what needed to be done and the extent of the damage. He just needed assistance with permitting and an extra set of hands."
Recently, UWCK staff visited Mr. Smith to catch up and see the improvements to his home. Tiffani Mensch, UWCK President and CEO, expressed the importance of the work, saying, "Meeting Mr. Smith and hearing his story about what he went through after Hurricane Ian—and how we, along with the American Red Cross and other partners, helped him become whole again—gives him hope and builds resilience for the next storm."
Since Hurricane Ian, UWCK has provided direct assistance to 13,960 people, totaling $1,753,951.80. This vital support would not have been possible without a generous grant from the American Red Cross, partnerships with local organizations, and the donations from our community. "Through the hard work of disaster case managers and our partnerships with long-term recovery groups and funders, we’ve been able to help 40 households rebuild," said Ashley Jones, UWCK Vice President of Community Impact.
As we continue through this hurricane season and reflect on the anniversary of Hurricane Ian, UWCK remains dedicated to helping our community recover and prepare for future storms.
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