Making An Impact (MAI), a nonprofit group providing equitable access to community resources, recently created one of the area’s most comprehensive disaster recovery resource guides in response to those in Sarasota and Manatee counties affected by Hurricane Ian. MAI was incorporated in 2020 with a mission to reduce disparities and address unmet needs for disadvantaged people in our community. In response to a growing need for information and access to community resources, the organization quickly rallied to address the community’s more urgent and pressing informational requests.

The new MAI Disaster Recovery Resource Guide provides information in 29 categories, including emergency management, food, fraud or scams, medical care and supplies, weather updates and much more. There are over 100 listings of organizations and agencies offering services or programs most often requested following a major disaster. Access to the disaster guide is available 24/7, and printed copies of the guides, QR code wallet cards, and signage are available in limited quantities.

“Making An Impact is a small but mighty all-volunteer nonprofit focused on helping residents locate basic need services in their area. So, it just made sense that we would use our know-how and talents to respond to the recent crisis the best way we knew how. We saw the opportunity to fill the information gap for those affected, many of whom have no electricity, permanent shelter, and compromised cellphone access," said Board chair and co-founder Victoria Kasdan. “ Those impacted by Hurricane Ian are in crisis, which is where our new, Disaster Recovery Guide can help. However, since the road to recovery can be long, assistance finding additional basic needs services can be found in our other Community Connection Resource Guide, which lists over 250 organizations to address urgent and non-urgent needs. Florida has more hurricanes than any other state. With climate change increasing the number and severity, followed by unprecedented destruction, we see the need for this new Guide both now and in the future. While we proceeded with this endeavor without any additional financial commitment or support, hopefully, the community will find this to be a valued tool and show their support, so this can be a sustainable offering,” stated Kasdan. Making An Impact now has Disaster Recovery and Community Connections Resource Guides available in print and online, providing emergency and essential need services in Sarasota and Manatee counties.

Making An Impact, 11161 East State Road 70, Suite 110-585, Lakewood Ranch, Email: info@Making-An-Impact.org, Phone: 941-251-5846.

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