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Florida Youth Charitable Describes Post‑Storm Debris Cleanup, Says It Cleared More than 450 Properties
Summary
Florida Youth Charitable told commissioners it completed a debris‑cleanup effort in Suwannee County that worked on more than 450 properties after multiple storms and tornadoes, provided temporary jobs under a federal dislocated‑workers grant and offered to continue limited assistance through July 31.
A representative of Florida Youth Charitable updated the Suwannee County Board on a disaster‑cleanup partnership the nonprofit completed June 30 after storms and tornadoes hit the Tri‑County area. The group said it cleared debris from more than 450 properties in Suwannee County, prioritized elderly and disabled residents, and provided temporary work training paid under a federal National Dislocated Workers Grant.
Why it matters: The cleanup helped residents who reportedly “slipped through the cracks” after severe weather and also served as short‑term employment and training for local workers, organizers said.
The presenter said the organization began work in Suwannee County after an April 23 agreement with county officials and finished the Suwannee portion of the project on June 30. She thanked county staff and a local vendor, AgPro, for assistance. The nonprofit provided skid steers, dump trailers and trained workers in chainsaw use and heavy‑equipment operation. The presenter said of 33 employees on the grant team, “over 50% of them have all became gainfully employed with companies in the area.” She described the project’s focus as removing debris that impaired access for elderly, disabled, or otherwise vulnerable residents.
The presenter described one household the crews assisted and said the organization will accept further calls from Suwannee County residents through July 31 and is requesting additional federal funds to continue interior repair work such as mold remediation and ceiling replacement. The presenter also handed commissioners a multi‑page sign‑in sheet listing the residences served.
Ending: The board acknowledged the nonprofit’s work and thanked the contractor and county staff for their partnership. County staff said FEMA and other funding streams remain in review for related projects and wages, with additional reimbursements anticipated.
