Our History at Abide Community
Restoring Lives, Homes, and Peace of Mind
At Abide Community, we are committed to transforming lives and communities in the wake of disasters and housing challenges. Our journey began with the Alabama West Florida Conference’s (AWF) Disaster Response Ministry, which has a distinguished history of aiding those affected by calamities across Alabama and West Florida. Our mission has always been clear: to restore lives, homes, and peace of mind.
Over the years, AWF has spearheaded relief and recovery efforts for numerous devastating events, including:
- Hurricane Michael (October 2018)
- Lee County Tornadoes (March 2019)
- Hurricanes Sally & Zeta (2020)
- Four County Tornadoes (March 2021)
- Tropical Storm Claudette (June 2021)
- Alabama Tornadoes (November 2022)
- Central Alabama Tornadoes (January 2023)
- Florida Panhandle Tornadoes (January 2024)
Through these efforts, we have:
- Repaired and rebuilt over 330 homes.
- Supported more than 1,900 households with case management and emergency response services.
- Mobilized 4,459 volunteers, contributing over 348,100 hours and saving more than $8.9 million in programmatic costs.
Our proactive approach extends beyond immediate disaster relief. We’ve partnered with pro-bono attorneys to assist with clearing heir property deeds and managed substantial grant funding to maximize our impact.
Currently, we are leading a long-term recovery project addressing the aftermath of recent tornado outbreaks in Alabama and Florida. Many affected communities faced additional challenges due to the lack of federal disaster declarations, making access to resources difficult. We focus on supporting uninsured or under-insured survivors who need guidance navigating their recovery journey. Our Case Managers work tirelessly to advocate for these individuals and help them access necessary resources.
Recognizing a gap in long-term disaster recovery, AWF steps into communities lacking specialized case management expertise. We assist local agencies in forming Long-Term Recovery Groups (LTRGs) to efficiently share resources and avoid duplication of benefits. Our goal is to empower communities and survivors by fostering internal strength and resilience.
In 2023, our Disaster Response Ministry evolved to meet growing needs and opportunities. We realized that our vision extended beyond disaster recovery to encompass broader housing support. Many of our clients, including seniors, veterans, and low-to-moderate income individuals, required housing assistance even before disasters struck. This insight led to the formation of Abide Community, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to alleviating the burdens of disaster and housing instability.
Abide Community builds on the legacy of AWF with a renewed focus on comprehensive housing solutions. Our team, which has managed over $25 million in grant funding, is now united under Abide Community to address both disaster recovery and housing accessibility. We continue to collaborate closely with AWF, which supports us as a fiscal agent when needed.
Our operations center around three core components: case management, volunteer coordination, and construction coordination. We provide holistic case management, crafting recovery plans that ensure homes are safe, sanitary, and functional while addressing emotional and mental well-being. Our volunteer and construction teams work in tandem to maximize resources, with volunteers assisting in repairs and rebuilds, thereby extending our reach to more survivors.
At Abide Community, our commitment is unwavering. Whether responding to a disaster or addressing housing needs, we strive to make a meaningful difference in the lives we touch, partnering with local nonprofits, government entities, and businesses to foster resilient communities.
Abide Community
Before We Were Abide Community: Hurricane Michael Recovery
Hurricane Michael made landfall as a strong Category 5 hurricane on October 10, 2018 near Mexico Beach, Florida. With thousands of homes destroyed or heavily damaged, the plight of families who were not insured (or underinsured) seemed insurmountable.
With a United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) grant and other funding and partnerships, Pastor Chris Ackerman led the formation of the Hurricane Michael Recovery Team supported by the Alabama-West Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church.
Between 2019 and 2021, the team successfully assisted 250 households in their recovery efforts. This included the construction of 41 new homes and repairs to over 150 others, providing vital support to communities striving to rebuild in the aftermath of the disaster.
Abide Community Network
