Recovering Clay
Welcome to Recovering Clay
...An initiative dedicated to providing swift and efficient disaster relief to the residents of Clay County. In partnership with the United Way of Northeast Florida and our network of local partners, we are committed to ensuring our community's resilience and rapid recovery in the face of disasters.
Recovering Clay is an extension program of Impact Clay, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Clay County. Our mission is to provide the right help to people in need, and Recovering Clay embodies this mission by addressing the immediate and ongoing needs of Clay County residents impacted by disasters.
Recovering Clay was initiated in response to the devastating impacts of Hurricane Irma in 2017, which severely affected the Black Creek - Middleburg area. Over 1,300 homes were impacted, with more than 500 homes sustaining major damage or being destroyed. Many homeowners lacked flood insurance or were under-insured, leaving numerous families without a place to live.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, Recovering Clay faced significant challenges, including a lack of proper assessments and data capture, which hindered effective recovery efforts and delayed FEMA reimbursements. Learning from these initial challenges, we have since focused on improving assessment and data capture processes to ensure timely and effective disaster response.
As a result of these efforts and the critical need for funding during the Recovering Clay relief efforts after Hurricane Irma, Impact Clay formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to ensure that funding will be available for Clay County in the event of future hurricane disasters.
Recovering Clay is funded through individual donations and grant funding through the United Way of Northeast Florida’s First Coast Relief Fund. All money raised stays in Clay County and goes to servicing families in need.
Mission Statement
To provide timely, efficient, and coordinated disaster relief to the residents of Clay County, ensuring rapid recovery and resilience through strategic partnerships, resource allocation, and community engagement.
Vision Statement
A resilient Clay County where communities can swiftly recover from disasters, supported by a robust network of partners, volunteers, and resources, ensuring the well-being and safety of all residents.
Our Goals
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Rapid Response: Establish clear protocols for immediate disaster assessment and relief fund activation. Mobilize boots-on-the-ground volunteers and resources within 24 hours of a qualified disaster event and continue to provide support beyond the initial government response timeframe.
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Effective Coordination: Enhance communication systems between Impact Clay, the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), and partner organizations to streamline operations. Utilizing Clay County’s centralized volunteer portal and resource management system to track and coordinate efforts efficiently.
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Community Engagement: Increase community awareness and participation in disaster preparedness and recovery efforts through outreach and education programs. Advance partnerships with local nonprofits, faith-based organizations, and businesses to expand the network of support.
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Resource Management: Allocate funds and resources strategically to meet the immediate needs of affected individuals and families. Ensure transparent and accountable financial reporting and resource utilization.
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Continuous Improvement: Evaluate and update disaster relief protocols and processes based on feedback and lessons learned from each event.
Role of Impact Clay
As an anchor organization, Impact Clay is responsible for receiving and distributing hurricane disaster relief emergency funds to our local nonprofit partners. Our duties include:
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Grant Administration: Managing the administration of grants during disaster activations to ensure funds are allocated where they are most needed.
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Decision-Making: Making informed decisions on fund allocation based on on-ground assessments performed by United Way Disaster Relief partners.
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Coordination and Communication: Coordinating with partner organizations to ensure efficient resource distribution by organizing volunteers at Recovering Clay hubs and gathering overall outcomes to report to the First Coast Relief Fund.
Activation & Implementation
The fund is activated based on criteria from United Way First Coast Relief, such as the severity of the disaster and its impact on our communities. Once activated, Impact Clay will work closely with the Clay County EOC to ensure timely and effective distribution of resources to those affected by providing boot-on-the-ground volunteers and centralized hubs throughout Clay County including long term recovery relief.
How You Can Help
We invite community members to join us in our efforts to ensure Clay County is well-prepared and resilient in the face of disasters. There are many ways to get involved:
Volunteer: Help us with on-the-ground recovery efforts during and after disasters. Sign up by clicking the button below.:
Donate: Contribute to the Disaster Relief Fund to support immediate and long-term recovery needs.
Spread the Word: Raise awareness about our initiatives and encourage others to get involved.
Submit A Nonprofit Application
If your organization would like to participate in the Recovering Clay Disaster Relief Program, please fill out our Nonprofit Application Form on the website:
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For any questions or additional information, please contact Michelle Reaves, Director of Operations, at 904.330.1848 or michelle@impactclay.org.
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Thank you for your support and dedication to making a positive impact in our community. Together, we can weather any storm and become stronger through our collaborative efforts.
