Dear Friends of kuRRve,
Almost one year ago, the Northeast Kingdom experienced another devastating flood on July 10, 2024, For many in our region, this was to be the second of three flooding events that they would endure in eighteen months.
Across the three counties that make up the place we call home, 39 of our 55 towns and municipalities reported flood damage. Farmers, unhoused neighbors, business owners, people living on fixed incomes – people from all walks of life – were impacted. Drawing from what we learned in 2023, neighbors, friends, and strangers responded and did what the people of the NEK do – they showed up for each other. We supported NEKO (Northeast Kingdom Organizing) and community leaders who organized the initial response.
KURRVE stepped in to walk with survivors on the long road to recovery. We strategized daily with those impacted by disaster. Through the support and generosity of our fiscal sponsor, Northeast Kingdom Human Services (NKHS), and alongside NEKO we are putting in the work to help build resilient communities in the NEK including:
- Engaging with state leaders to strategize for legislative changes that would help flood survivors and build resilient communities
- Testifying in the Government and Military Operations Committee on behalf of Long Term Recovery Groups (LTRGs) for the Flood Omnibus Bill (H397)
- Hiring full time staff including an Executive Director, Disaster Case Manager (DCM) Supervisor, a Construction Coordinator, and a DCM/Construction Associate
- Joining with other LTRGs (Long Term Recovery Groups) across the state to build towards a collaborative and robust response and recovery network
- Working on construction projects throughout the NEK to get survivors in safe, secure, and sanitary homes
- Offering weekly support groups for people dealing with the mental health aspects of long term disaster recovery through SOS Vermont
- Collaborating on developing disaster hubs for storage of supplies and equipment in strategic locations across the region
As we prepare for future events, we ask for your financial support to grow the organization and help us transform our region into one that is poised to withstand climate events. Despite uncertainty in state and federal funding, we will keep doing what we have always done for and with our communities. Please help us to continue this critical work.
In gratitude,
Paige Hartsell
kuRRve Director