About Us

History

Upper Valley Strong was originally formed in 2011 as the Long-Term Recovery Committee in response to Tropical Storm Irene.

The mission of Upper Valley Strong Long-Term Recovery Committee is to create, strengthen, expand and coordinate disaster recovery efforts as needed throughout the designated area, including; gathering and sharing information; assessing individual and community needs; obtaining and disbursing financial and other resources; conducting triage and disaster case management; expediting residents’ access to services; facilitating interim and permanent housing solutions; and collaborating to resolve the full spectrum of disaster-caused recovery needs.

Our Tropical Storm Irene service area included: Plymouth, Bridgewater, Woodstock, Hartland, Hartford, Pomfret, Barnard, Stockbridge, Norwich, Sharon, Royalton, Bethel, Rochester, Thetford, Strafford, Tunbridge, Randolph, Fairlee, W Fairlee, Vershire, Chelsea, Bradford, Corinth and Pittsfield.

Upper Valley Strong conducted initial assessments to determine the fair distribution of resources, found housing solutions, coordinated volunteers and professionals for rebuild projects and communicated to our constituents – families in need and our long list of helpers. Lastly, we worked to gather funds or identify funding sources to support our mission.

The Upper Valley Housing Coalition led the charge with Upper Valley Strong. Each of the committees of Upper Valley Strong (Community Assessment, Triage, Interim Housing and Construction) worked on specific projects with the Upper Valley Housing Coalition coordinating and supporting these efforts. The Housing Coalition chaired the Steering Committee, organized and led meetings, and worked on communications, fundraising and other joint efforts.

SEVCA (Southeastern Vermont Community Action) hired two Disaster Recovery Service Coordinators, who conducted initial needs assessments, mobilized public and private resources, and coordinated services to ensure that everyone received assistance without duplication of resources. The coordinators then shifted their emphasis to  disaster case management and long-term recovery assistance. SEVCA provided home repair and mold remediation services for those who faced unsafe and/or unhealthy housing conditions.  It also collected furniture, clothing, and house wares in a donated warehouse and distributed them to affected households.

The Upper Valley Haven gathered donations of food, clothing, bedding, and cleaning products. In the first weeks after the disaster, the Haven distributed over 48 box truck and carloads of food, water and other supplies to 16 different communities. It also provided these goods directly to households with immediate needs. The Haven continued to provide case management, distribute donated goods, and supplemental funding through participation in the Upper Valley Strong collaboration.

COVER Home Repair was a key center for organizing volunteers to assist with mucking out, demolition and early construction of homes following Irene. Initially, COVER’s response also included a voucher program at the ReCover Store for people to acquire discounted appliances and furniture.  COVER accepted applications for construction support services. These services included: construction consulting, connecting homeowners to building professionals willing to volunteer their time and direct construction with volunteers.