Partnering to Address Long-Term Recovery Needs After Hurricanes Helene and Milton

New community-run disaster recovery sites will serve as a lifeline to help vulnerable individuals
and households in the months and years to come

large group of red crossers at Pinellas Co. Urban League.

July 14, 2025

Thanks to our generous donors, the American Red Cross is supporting long-term recovery efforts in Florida in response to Hurricanes Helene and Milton. In addition to providing direct financial assistance to households whose homes were severely damaged or destroyed, we are also providing recovery grants to partner organizations who can help meet specialized response and recovery needs.

The Community Development Corporation of Tampa (CDC of Tampa) has been awarded nearly $1 million in Long-Term Recovery grant funds to establish three Disaster Recovery Centers, standalone community-run sites, serving Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Red Cross for their support and for making this funding possible,” said Dr. Charmain Moss-Torres, Chief Operating Officer, CDC of Tampa, Inc. “These Centers will play an instrumental role in ensuring that our residents are not only survivors, but also stronger and more efficient after experiencing this program.”

CDC of Tampa's main location, 1907 E. Hillsborough Ave., will function as the primary location with a satellite at Wimauma Community Center. A third location in Pinellas County will be operated by Pinellas County Urban League.

astoria speaking to group at cdc of tampa.

Each site will conduct outreach and deliver disaster recovery support services including workforce development and training, disaster education and planning, and spiritual and mental health consultations.

“This is going to be an amazing collaborative effort with many of our partners,” said Dr. Jeffrey Johnson, Director of Strategic Initiatives, CDC of Tampa, Inc, citing the AME Church, Chloe Coney (founder of CDC of Tampa), Trina Pope and Pinellas County Urban League.

The Red Cross first partnered with CDC of Tampa following Hurricane Ian in 2022 to establish the Ft. Myers Disaster Recovery Center in the community of Dunbar in conjunction with Mt. Olive AME Church. When resources allow, long-term recovery grants help expand the reach of the Red Cross, allowing us to work closely with partners to address the most critical gaps in community recovery and resiliency.