TEXAS HURRICANE RECOVERY UPDATE OCTOBER 2019
TOTAL PROGRAM IMPACT
4,210 4,168
LIVES IMPACTED VOLUNTEERS
37,277
VOLUNTEER DAYS
1,146
JOBS COMPLETED
Current Activities Our relief efforts post-Hurricane Harvey remain strong in the face of continued unmet need, more than two years after the storm’s initial impact. Our primary focus is concentrated on interior rebuilds and returning homeowners back to full and complete homes., but is consistent in its flexibility to other critical needs. We are carrying out response work -- muck and guts, and sanitation -and projects that renew the community spirit to bring a sense of normalcy to beneficiaries. While our program teams in Houston and Coastal Bend work hard to help the areas we work in recover from the storm, we also aim to help them thrive. As of September, we officially superseded 140,000 volunteer hours in our Houston program alone. The energy and work by our volunteers and staff members is truly an incredible feat reflected in this significant achievement, as well as the countless lives touched.
Volunteer Voices “I wasn't here for the longest of times, but I had an amazing experience here. Everyone that I've met from here was an incredible person that brought nothing but the best of intentions to here. I've made memories here that I will forever cherish. The work sites were all very well organized and I was taught how to do all the jobs that I didn't know how to do. It was really great to meet the home owners and connect with them. I really can't stress how great every single person I've met here is. “ “I want to thank AHAH for all the amazing work that comes out of it and for creating a place where people who are passionate about helping others can come and experience a unique way of life together in a community where everyone is there for a common cause, it shows that it is possible for people to live and work together this way.”
Learn about our programs at
allhandsandhearts.org
Disaster Profile Hurricane Harvey made landfall on August 25, 2017, near Rockport, TX as a Category 4 Hurricane that produced a record 52" of rain and 130-mph winds. One third of Houston was completely flooded, with an estimated 136,000 homes affected in Harris County alone. The Coastal Bend region was hit especially hard, and experienced $4.5 billion in damage to an estimated 39,927 structures. Destruction in this region was magnified by high speed winds that took down trees and destroyed roofs, amplifying interior water damage far beyond that caused by the storm surge and flooding. Structures were afflicted with top-down water damage that led to long-term struggles in keeping homes dry, as well as debris and tree hazards littered throughout the region.
Our Work Thanks to critical support from donors, partners and volunteers from around the world, we have been in Houston and Coastal Bend since the immediate days after Hurricane Harvey. During the response phase, our teams were able to complete an impactful 16-week response program in Coastal Bend and an 18-week program in Houston. Since February 2018, our commitment to the recovery effort has concentrated site supervisors and volunteers on constructing high quality interior repair. We are driven by the continued recognition of the immense scale of need that still exists in Texas; and the compassion of volunteers to keep coming back.
About All Hands and Hearts We effectively and efficiently address the immediate and long-term needs of communities impacted by natural disasters. We communicate directly with local leaders and community members and then deploy our unique model of engaging volunteers to enable direct impact, helping to build safer, more resilient schools, homes and infrastructure. We have earned a 4-star rating by Charity Navigator six years in a row and a Perfect 100. Less than one percent of rated nonprofits have received this distinction for financial and operational efficiency.
Our Partners in Texas
info@allhandsandhearts.org (508) 758-8211