When storms strike, the damage they leave behind goes far beyond missing shingles and broken windows. For many homeowners, storm damage threatens the place where family memories were made, milestones were celebrated, and generations have built their lives.
That’s why Manatee County Habitat for Humanity is grateful for the support of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, whose generosity helped local families recover from the devastating 2024 storm season through our Storm Safe Home Renewal Program.
Between January 2025 and April 2026, this partnership helped fund critical repairs and rehabilitation projects for seven storm-damaged homes across Manatee County. The work ensured that homeowners could remain safely housed while preserving the homes that hold so much meaning to them and their families.
Preserving More Than a House
One of those homeowners is Barry, a lifelong Bradenton resident whose home has been part of his family for decades.
The house was passed down to Barry from his late mother and holds countless memories of family gatherings, holidays, and everyday moments that helped shape his life. But over the years, severe weather and repeated storm impacts took a significant toll on the property.
A deteriorating roof allowed water to enter the home during heavy rains, leading to extensive damage and mold growth. Eventually, the condition of the house became so severe that it was no longer safe to live in.
For many homeowners, damage of this scale can feel overwhelming. Yet Barry remained committed to saving the home that meant so much to him and his family.
After seeking assistance from the City of Bradenton, Barry was referred to Manatee Habitat’s Storm Safe Home Renewal Program. Through the program, our team was able to undertake a major rehabilitation project that restored the home while preserving its original footprint and family legacy.
The transformation not only made the home safe and livable again, but also ensured that a piece of Barry’s family history would remain standing for years to come.
Barry’s story is just one example of the impact that home preservation can have on families and communities.
For homeowners recovering from hurricanes and severe storms, the cost of repairs can be difficult—or impossible—to manage alone. Without support, many families face unsafe living conditions, displacement, or the loss of homes they have spent years building and maintaining.
Manatee Habitat’s Storm Safe Home Renewal Program helps address those challenges by providing repairs and rehabilitation services that create safer, healthier living environments while strengthening homes against future storms.
“Home preservation is about more than repairing walls and roofs—it’s about helping families remain in the homes and communities they love,” said Emily Lane, Development Director at Manatee County Habitat for Humanity. “We are grateful for partners like The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Habitat for Humanity International, whose support allows us to help homeowners recover and rebuild after disaster strikes.”
A Partnership Making a Difference
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a long history of providing humanitarian aid and disaster relief around the world. Through its charitable efforts, the Church supports communities affected by natural disasters by helping provide essential resources and recovery assistance when it is needed most.
Their support of the Storm Safe Home Renewal Program has helped local families move forward after one of the most challenging storm seasons in recent memory. More importantly, it has helped preserve stability, dignity, and hope for homeowners working to recover and rebuild.
At Barry’s recent home dedication ceremony in Bradenton, representatives from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints joined community members, partners, and supporters to celebrate the completion of the project and the impact that collaboration can have on local families.
Together, we are proving that recovery is about more than rebuilding structures. It’s about helping neighbors remain rooted in the communities they love, preserving family legacies, and ensuring that every family has a safe place to call home.
We are grateful to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for their partnership and commitment to helping Manatee County families weather life’s storms and build a stronger future.