ReNForce, a dedicated leader in workforce development, is proud to announce that its Executive Director, Charlotte Garnes, will travel to Washington, DC, on next week, to advocate for permanent disaster recovery funding for both the state and the nation.

As natural disasters continue to impact communities across the United States, Ms. Garnes will meet with members of Congress to urge them to pass legislation ensuring consistent and permanent funding for disaster recovery efforts. With Georgia facing increased frequency and severity of storms and other disasters, the need for long-term, reliable federal support has never been more pressing.

“We are at a critical moment for disaster recovery,” said Ms. Garnes. “Temporary funding is often inadequate in addressing the long-term needs of affected communities. We need Congress to act now to ensure permanent funding is available to help rebuild, protect, and prepare for future disasters. Every community, no matter its size, deserves to recover fully and quickly.”

The Executive Director’s trip will include meetings with key lawmakers and staff members who play pivotal roles in disaster relief policy. ReNForce has long advocated for sustainable workforce development and housing solutions for justice impacted individuals, and the organization’s efforts are aligned with ongoing discussions in Washington about enhancing federal disaster programs, increasing funding for local resilience projects, and ensuring that the most vulnerable communities have access to critical recovery resources.

Ms. Garnes will also participate in a press conference scheduled for December 11th. 

ReNForce: Press Conference Delegates at U.S. Capitol to Call for a Fully Funded Federal Disaster Response 

WHAT: Press Conference to Demand a Fully Funded Federal Disaster Package and Permanent Authorization of HUD’s Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery Program (CDBG-DR) to Help Communities Rebuild

WHEN: December 11th at 11:00 am ET

WHERE:  U.S. Capitol

WHO:

• Charlotte Garnes, Executive Director, ReNForce

• Elected Officials and fifty storm and fire survivors from FL, GA, HI, LA, NC, NJ, and TX. 

WHY:

Congress must act by December 20th to continue funding the federal government. 

As this deadline bears down, Hurricane Helene disaster survivors from GA will come together with over forty other storm and fire survivors and advocates in Washington DC to demand a fully funded federal disaster response system that gets help to communities as fast as possible.

Their demands include funding and permanent authorization of HUD’s Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program, to make sure that rebuilding funds are available when they are needed most, and fully funding FEMA’s disaster relief efforts and making their important new programs available for all storms since 2021.

Visual and survivor stories will illustrate the human toll of delayed disaster funding and highlight the urgent need for swift, equitable recovery solutions.