SBP and WES to Boost Climate Resilience and Disaster Assistance among Immigrants, Refugees

NEW ORLEANS (Sept. 16, 2024) —SBP, the leading U.S.-focused disaster recovery and resilience nonprofit, and World Education Services (WES), the nonprofit social enterprise dedicated to helping international students, immigrants, and refugees achieve their academic and professional goals in North America, announced today a new strategic partnership to scale up efficient, locally-led disaster recovery assistance and climate resilience in under-resourced communities across the United States. 

A $500,000 grant to SBP’s Share program from the WES Mariam Assefa Fund will help transform local capacity to provide essential repair and recovery services to local disaster recovery nonprofit organizations, while delivering resilience training and critical materials to social services nonprofits.

The initiative will begin accepting grant applications on Sept. 18, 2024. Organizations interested in the grants can apply here.

The initiative will offer two types of grants to local organizations that apply for funding:

1. Recovery Grants: These grants are designed for nonprofit organizations with the capacity to undertake long-term home rebuilding projects. The funding will support construction efforts to help restore housing in disaster-affected areas, ensuring that families can return to safe, secure homes.
2. Micro Resiliency Grants: These grants will fund critical preparedness items such as emergency go-kits, generators, air conditioning units, and other essential resources. These items will help communities build resilience against future climate threats and ensure they are better equipped to face emergencies.

Drawing on 18 years of frontline experience empowering communities to recover from natural disasters, SBP will strengthen the capacity of local organizations with essential training in disaster continuity planning and household preparedness, as well as with rebuilding and recovery grants. 

An advisory committee of leaders from nonprofit organizations focused on disaster experience and social services will work with SBP to review applications, recommend awards, and provide guidance on reporting requirements. The committee members are as follows;

• Dauda Sesay, Executive Director with Louisiana Organization for Refugees and Immigrants (LORI)
• Nicole Melaku, Executive Director with National Partnership for New Americans (NPNA)
• Rodney Goodman, Executive Director with Habitat for Humanity Bowling Green (Kentucky)
• Kentrell Jones, Board Member of Housing Louisiana

This partnership exemplifies SBP and WES’ mutual commitment to fostering locally-led disaster recovery and resilience across the United States. The investment will broaden SBP’s outreach in communities most vulnerable to climate threats and deepen its impact among people with least access to resources and assistance.

For nonprofit organizations seeking more information about grant funding and other opportunities available through this partnership, please contact SBP’s Share team at partner@sbpusa.org.

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MEDIA CONTACT
Elizabeth Wright, SBP Chief Communications and Marketing Officer
ewright@sbpusa.org

ABOUT SBP
Founded in New Orleans in 2006 in response to Hurricane Katrina, SBP is a national social impact organization dedicated to empowering communities to shrink the time between disaster and recovery by rebuilding homes, increasing preparedness and resilience, and improving policies to better serve the needs of all survivors. For more information about SBP, please visit www.sbpusa.org.

ABOUT WES
Founded in 1974, WES is a 501(c)3 non-profit social enterprise that supports the educational, economic, and social inclusion of immigrants, refugees, and international students. From evaluating academic credentials to shaping policy, designing programs, and providing philanthropic funding, we partner with a diverse set of organizations, leaders, and networks to uplift individuals and drive systems change. The WES Mariam Assefa Fund, WES’ philanthropic arm, supports catalytic efforts to build more inclusive economies and communities for immigrants and refugees. Learn more at wes.org/fund.