Before the Storm: How SBP’s Preparedness Coordinators are Changing the Way Communities Think About Disaster

Meet SBP’s AmeriCorps Preparedness Coordinators, our boots-on-the-ground educators and advocates working hard to build trust in communities and give people the tools to protect their assets before disasters strike.

From New Orleans to Puerto Rico, our Preparedness Coordinators have reached over 1,300 households and community partners within the program’s first year.

Grassroots Outreach: Taking Disaster Preparedness Into Everyday Spaces

That outreach has taken many forms. At food pantries and farmers markets, Preparedness Coordinators hand out materials, answer questions, and connect people to SBP’s other programs like home rebuilding and disaster assistance services. At colleges, they share personal stories of navigating disasters far from home and offer advice that resonates with young adults living independently for the first time.

And in one standout example, a simple school visit turned into a movement.

During National Preparedness Month in 2024, SBP’s Volunteer Department partnered with Metairie Park Country Day School for a volunteer event that included a call to action: donate supplies for preparedness kits. Preparedness Coordinator Alexis Patell was invited to speak to the students about personal preparedness and how to become advocates for readiness in their community. 

Not only did the students respond, but they also rallied. They held a donation drive, and their effort filled dozens of Lowe’s buckets with flashlights, radios, ponchos, first-aid kits, and more. These kits are then distributed to high-risk households across New Orleans.

“Those buckets go to clients who’ve told us they just want something they can tuck away in a closet and hopefully never need. But if they do, it’s there. And that gives them real peace of mind,” said Patell.

Tailoring Disaster Preparedness to Individual Needs

Because the role is flexible by design, each Coordinator has the freedom to lean into personal interests and respond to community needs. Some have partnered with rehabilitation centers to support people experiencing housing instability, while others have woven public health messaging into their outreach.

Preparedness Coordinators focus their efforts on two levels: individual and community. At the individual level, they help clients feel secure before disaster season by offering practical, personalized support—ideally during “blue sky” periods when planning is easier.

“Even just having that sense of security helps in the long run,” said Zoe Hamblen, who studied public health in college and plans to get a master’s degree in health administration after her AmeriCorps service.

Coordinators tailor support based on need, whether it’s distributing an emergency preparedness bucket, helping create a home inventory, or assisting with evacuation planning. One particularly effective tool is a simple waterproof folder, designed to encourage clients to organize and protect important documents, an often-overlooked step that can prove crucial after a disaster.

“We don’t want to overwhelm people by saying, ‘Go buy a generator,’” Hamblen said. “We want to give them a starting point. Something small, like organizing documents, can make a big difference, especially if a flood or storm hits. If those papers are lost, it can be really hard to prove homeownership or get help.”

More Than a Bucket: How SBP Builds Community Resilience

The supplies—buckets, flashlights, guides—are tangible. But what lasts even longer are the relationships. Coordinators like Patell and Hamblen work intentionally to build trust with the people they serve. They’re not just dropping off a pamphlet, they’re having real conversations, offering reassurance, and opening doors to future support.

“I’ve had so many meaningful interactions,” Hamblen said. “But the most impactful ones have definitely been with clients.” One of those clients lives just a few blocks from her. A double amputee and Hurricane Katrina survivor, the woman received a preparedness kit from Hamblen and is also being supported through SBP’s rebuilding program.

“It’s just nice to know she’s taken care of—not just in preparedness, but across the board,” Hamblen said.

Another moment that stuck with Hamblen came early in her service, during one of her first bucket deliveries. The client asked if he could get buckets for his elderly friends in a nearby retirement community. Hamblen and the SBP team helped bring the resources to them. “He cared so much about his community,” said Hamblen. 

This interaction highlights how preparedness isn’t just about individual readiness, it’s about strengthening the entire community. Through their service, SBP’s Preparedness Coordinators are helping shift the culture from reactive recovery to proactive readiness. When more people have the tools and support they need, the whole community becomes stronger and more resilient. 

“We want to make sure everyone gets what they need,” Hamblen said.