In the wake of Hurricane Ian’s devastation across Southwest Florida in the fall of 2022, the Diocese of Southwest Florida partnered with Episcopal Relief & Development to walk alongside our communities as they recovered.
Out of this partnership came a long-term recovery initiative rooted in resilience. Launched in March 2023, this grant program was created to address post-storm needs and support long-term recovery across the region.
Since the program’s inception and as of this summer, nearly $300,000 in direct aid has been distributed through Episcopal Relief & Development to hundreds of individuals and families throughout our diocese.
Eight of our congregations have become vital partners in this work, along with local aid organizations and other churches. One of our partners, St. Edmund’s in Arcadia, has a thriving program that has provided assistance to more than 40 households to date.