During Red Cross Month, we celebrate not only the volunteers who power our mission, but also the community partners who stand shoulder-to-shoulder with us every day. In Okeechobee County, that partner is Our Village Okeechobee. Their philosophy is simple: under-promise, over-deliver and build trust every step of the way.

Founded in 2015 after a life-changing experience that inspired its mission, Our Village Okeechobee exists for one simple reason: to fill gaps in the community. If someone needs food, they provide it. If a family loses everything in a house fire, they open their doors, day or night. If a veteran needs support, they step in. If a neighbor can’t navigate paperwork or access benefits, they provide assistance until the problem is solved.

Operating six offices within a one-block radius, including two storefronts, a food pantry, peer support programs and an arts and education center, Our Village serves residents from birth to end of life. Their reach extends beyond Okeechobee County into surrounding communities in Glades, Highlands, Osceola, St. Lucie and Martin counties. These are areas where access to services can be limited and transportation is often a barrier.

Like so many Florida communities, Okeechobee is no stranger to hurricanes. After storms such as Hurricane Ian and Hurricane Milton, recovery didn’t end when the storms dissipated. Through partnership with the American Red Cross, Our Village has strengthened its long-term recovery efforts to ensure families don’t fall through the cracks after a disaster. Together, we are building something stronger than disaster response. Beyond dollars distributed, the partnership has built something even more valuable: community resilience and local capacity.

With support from Red Cross grant funding and collaboration through the Long-Term Recovery Group, Our Village has:

• Assisted families with unmet disaster-related needs
• Connected families to recovery funding
• Provided case management for repairs, temporary housing and essential items
• Helped families rebuild homes damaged by fallen trees and severe weather

Our Village is now working to expand disaster education and coordination across the community to help local leaders, nonprofits and residents better understand what to do before, during and after a storm. This spring, they will host a Hurricane Expo to bring together partners, vendors and emergency responders to promote preparedness in a way that’s accessible and engaging for families.

Through Red Cross support, they have also secured critical resources, including a generator to keep their food pantry operational during storms and a trailer to transport supplies, ensuring they can respond faster when the next emergency strikes. At the same time, Our Village is providing local volunteers to strengthen Red Cross shelter operations and improve coordination during emergencies.

It’s a true partnership: each organization bringing its strengths to the table to better serve the community. Through this partnership, the Red Cross helps provide resources and disaster expertise. Our Village brings deep local relationships, trust and day-to-day community presence.

“No one organization can do it alone.” That belief drives both Our Village and the Red Cross.

Together, we ensure that when disaster strikes, families have somewhere to turn.

Red Cross Month

During Red Cross Month this March, we celebrate partnerships like the one with Our Village Okeechobee. Their commitment to “do whatever it takes” reflects the very heart of the Red Cross mission: to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies. Because of supporters, we can invest in communities, build capacity and empower local organizations to serve their neighbors long after disaster recovery begins.

When you give to the Red Cross during Red Cross Month, you support strengthening partnerships, expanding preparedness and helping communities like Okeechobee stand stronger together. To support disaster relief and recovery efforts in South Florida, visit redcross.org today.