NAMI Sarasota and Manatee Counties to Lead Hurricane Recovery and Resiliency Project, Funded by a Grant from the American Red Cross
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Sarasota and Manatee Counties has been selected by the American Red Cross to lead a $914,872 grant supporting mental health recovery and resiliency efforts across 11 Florida counties following Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024.
The Hurricane Helene and Milton Recovery and Resiliency Project is a multi-faceted initiative focused on helping individuals and families process trauma, rebuild emotional well-being, and strengthen long-term resilience through peer support, education, and community-based outreach. Counties covered by the grant include Sarasota, Manatee, DeSoto, Hernando, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Brevard, Baker, Clay, and Duval.
“The impact of the 2024 hurricanes was profound and long-lasting,” said Colleen Thayer, CEO of NAMI Sarasota and Manatee Counties. “Long after the storms passed, individuals, families, and entire communities continue to experience emotional distress, displacement, and loss. This project recognizes that recovery doesn’t end when the debris is cleared and that emotional healing is essential to rebuilding stronger, more resilient communities now and in the future.”
We know mental health and emotional recovery needs are just as important as physical recovery such as home repairs, but are often overlooked in the wake of disaster,” said Robbie Sofaly, director of Helene Milton Long-Term Recovery at the American Red Cross. “We are proud to be partnering with NAMI to provide this essential service to communities across Florida as they continue their recovery from hurricanes Helene and Milton.”
As the organizational lead for the grant, NAMI Sarasota and Manatee Counties is coordinating local efforts alongside SRQ Strong and statewide partners, including NAMI Jacksonville, NAMI Central Florida, and NAMI Hernando. Together, the project aims to:
Strengthen community resilience through peer support and education.
Encourage open conversations and help-seeking behaviors.
Provide trauma-informed outreach in neighborhood settings; and
Increase awareness and use of mental health resources while reducing stigma.
Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, each partner organization will implement peer-led programs tailored to the needs of the communities they serve, helping participants build coping skills, natural support networks, and self-advocacy for ongoing recovery.
For more information on the Hurricane Helene and Milton Recovery and Resiliency Project, contact NAMI Sarasota and Manatee Counties at NAMISarasotaManatee.org or by calling (941) 376-9361.
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About NAMI Sarasota and Manatee Counties
Established in 1984, NAMI Sarasota and Manatee Counties is a not-for-profit organization that offers free, peer-led support programs, resources, education, and advocacy for youth, adults, families, and caregivers living with mental health conditions.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.