Immokalee, Fla. (May 31, 2019) – Team Rubicon, a veteran-led disaster response organization, broke ground today on its second total home rebuild in Immokalee, Fla. This ground-up rebuild is part of the organization’s Florida Rebuild Operation, which is its long-term recovery effort launched in response to Hurricane Irma. Working in collaboration with Salvation Army for case management, Team Rubicon volunteers have been rebuilding homes impacted by Hurricane Irma since September 2018. To date, Team Rubicon has rebuilt 33 homes in Florida.
“This ground-up home rebuild is another significant step forward for Team Rubicon and our long-term recovery capabilities,” said David Venables, Deputy Director of Rebuild Operations at Team Rubicon. “Learning the ins-and-outs of completing total home rebuilds with teams of committed volunteers is important as we look to continue refining this capability to be able to bring it to communities affected by disasters – large or small – across the country in the future.”
Team Rubicon provides its home rebuild services at no cost to the affected homeowners, thanks to the generosity of donors, volunteers, and corporate partners. One such partner supporting Team Rubicon’s long-term recovery efforts and helping to put Hurricane Irma survivors back in their homes is Hilton and the Hilton Effect Foundation. Through the newly launched Hilton Effect Foundation, Hilton generously granted Team Rubicon a Hilton Effect grant to fuel its Florida Rebuild Operations.
The Hilton Effect Foundation was established on the belief that we can “create a better world to travel” by investing in the people and organizations that have a positive impact on our global communities. The Foundation, announced this week to coincide with Hilton’s 100th anniversary, is the company’s primary international philanthropic arm. This grant is one of 15 of the Foundation’s inaugural Hilton Effect Grants that will invest in non-profits supporting thousands of people across 20 communities globally.
Team Rubicon boasts a 100,000-strong, highly skilled volunteer force that helps communities stabilize and recover after a devastating natural disaster. Since its inception following the 2010 Haiti earthquake, Team Rubicon has responded to more than 350 disasters, including Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Maria, Florence, and Michael.
Through a strong communications infrastructure supported by cutting-edge technological solutions, Team Rubicon volunteers efficiently and effectively respond to natural disasters and help families return to their homes as soon as possible. By giving military veteran volunteers the opportunity to continue their service through disaster response, Team Rubicon provides them an avenue to gain a renewed sense of purpose, community, and identity.