Resources

ANCHOR

Long Term Disaster Recovery

This work was made possible by a Long-Term Recovery grant from the American Red Cross.

Supporting Recovery

The Action Network for Community Hope and Organized Recovery (ANCHOR) is an initiative led by United Way of Indian River County to support long-term disaster recovery efforts in our community. By collaborating with faith-based groups, non-profits, businesses, and government agencies, ANCHOR provides financial, physical, and emotional assistance to individuals and families whose needs persist after immediate relief efforts. Focused on repairing and rebuilding homes, remediating mold, and addressing unmet needs, ANCHOR ensures that recovery is comprehensive, resilient, and tailored to the community’s unique challenges. Through coordinated resources, volunteer efforts, and strategic partnerships, ANCHOR helps neighbors rebuild their lives and strengthens the community’s ability to recover and thrive after disasters.

As a proven leader in community problem solving, United Way of Indian River County serves as the convener and coordinator of the ANCHOR initiative to successfully guide the community through the aftermath of major storms by providing long-term assistance and resources to individuals and families affected by disasters.

The Action Network for Community Hope and Organized Recovery (ANCHOR) strengthens disaster response and coordination across the community through preparation, response, recovery, and mitigation efforts, ensuring that recovery is both effective and resilient. We promote cooperation among community organizations to deliver streamlined, effective services to disaster survivors. This approach reduces duplication of efforts and maximizes support during the four critical phases of a disaster: preparation, response, recovery, and mitigation.

Here’s how ANCHOR will strengthen the Indian River County community in the face of disaster:

Brings Together Leaders: unites government officials, Emergency Management staff and community leaders to enhance emergency preparedness and community resilience.
Recruits Organizations: We actively engage the nonprofit, faith-based and business sectors, as well as community organizations to participate in disaster planning, response, recovery, and mitigation efforts.
Coordinates Assistance: serves as a key resource to communicate, collaborate, and coordinate requests for help with unmet needs in the aftermath of a disaster.
Educational Workshops: We hold workshops, trainings, and drills to educate the community about disaster preparation.
Public Awareness: provides displays, literature, and expert speakers to inform organizations and the public about effective disaster preparedness strategies.
Supports Recovery: Our network assists families and individuals with immediate needs following a disaster.

DO YOU NEED ASSISTANCE?

GET DISASTER CASE MANAGEMENT SUPPORT TODAY

Disaster Case Management is a client-centered process that helps individuals and families navigate recovery by identifying needs, developing recovery plans, and connecting families and individuals to available resources. This may include assistance with housing, repairs, financial support, referrals, and other recovery services.

While ANCHOR provides a centralized intake process through the Client Intake Assessment, case management support is not limited to a single organization. Multiple partner agencies within ANCHOR may provide case management services based on their capacity, expertise, and program eligibility requirements. This ensures clients are connected to the most appropriate resources and avoids duplication of services.

Through coordinated case management, ANCHOR partners work together to support long-term recovery, helping individuals and families move toward stability and self-sufficiency.

Si necesita apoyo, por favor llame al (772) 567-8900 y solicite al Coordinador de Resiliencia Comunitaria.

Intake Form: English

WHY JOIN US

By partnering with ANCHOR, your organization becomes part of a coordinated system designed to streamline services, reduce duplication of efforts, and ensure that unmet needs are addressed efficiently and equitably. Partners play a critical role in sharing resources, supporting recovery initiatives, and strengthening community resilience before and after disasters.

Organizations that join ANCHOR can participate in a variety of ways based on their capacity and mission, including:

Participate in partner meetings and recovery coordination
Have a voice in local disaster recovery efforts
Provide or receive support through shared resources
Engage in trainings, exercises, and outreach
Support disaster response and recovery operations

HOW TO GET INVOLVED
As a participating or potential member of ANCHOR, organizations are asked to complete a Partner Capability Assessment. This assessment is designed to identify your organization’s role, resources, and capacity to support coordinated disaster response and long-term recovery efforts. The information collected helps ensure partners are effectively aligned with community needs, enabling efficient case coordination, resource deployment, and collaboration during disasters.

Completion of the Partner Capability Assessment is the first step in identifying how your organization may support coordinated recovery efforts; however, submission of this form does not guarantee activation or deployment during a disaster. The assessment may take approximately 30 minutes to complete. If you need assistance completing the form or require reasonable accommodations due to a disability, please call (772) 567-8900 to schedule support with the Community Resiliency Department.

Event RSVP

JOIN OUR DISASTER RESPONSE TEAM TODAY

United Way of Indian River County, in conjunction with the Indian River County Emergency Management Division, connects volunteers to individuals and organizations in need of assistance following a disaster. This coordination is carried out through the Volunteer Reception Center (VRC), where volunteers are organized and matched with unmet needs across the community.

The VRC operates under ESF #15 (Volunteers and Donations) in coordination with Indian River County Emergency Management and is responsible for managing and assigning volunteers based on community needs and operational priorities. A primary function of the VRC is to coordinate spontaneous, unaffiliated volunteers (SUVs) – individuals who have not received formal disaster response training but are willing to assist during an emergency.

EXAMPLES OF OPPORTUNITIES

There is a role for everyone at the Volunteer Reception Center, including registration, volunteer intake and interviewing, data collection and entry, safety training support, runners, greeters, and phone bank assistance.
A request from the Emergency Operations Center may be for volunteers to help victims of a disaster in need of blue tarps and installation on damaged roofs
Salvation Army may need volunteers to help in their mass-feeding kitchens following a disaster
The American Red Cross may need volunteers to case-manage victims of a hurricane and direct them to temporary assistance
An elderly person may need volunteers to help clear debris from their yard or flood-soaked carpet removed from their home
Home-bound victims may need water or food delivered by volunteers

REQUIREMENTS:

Volunteers must be 18 years or older
Volunteers are required to wear closed-toe shoes, and bring bottled water
Comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing and skin protectants are recommended
Volunteers must follow all safety instructions and wear provided PPE as directed
Volunteers must complete any required registration or liability forms prior to assignment
Volunteers must adhere to all site safety and supervision guidelines

1-Day Certification Training
New or already established VRC volunteers are encouraged to attend our annual 1-day certification training provided by Volunteer Florida.

United Way Center
Thursday, June 5 at 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARTNERING ORGANIZATIONS

ANCHOR offers training opportunities, partner meetings, workshops, and coordinated outreach activities throughout the year to help partners strengthen coordination and preparedness for disaster response and recovery.

Members of ANCHOR are encouraged to participate to better understand roles, build relationships, and enhance coordination across the network.

EVENTS RSVP FORM

Still have questions?

Please contact the Community Resiliency Department at (772) 567-8900 or email gro.criyawdetinu@ROHCNA.