From Response to Recovery: United Way of Southwest Virginia and the Work Between Disasters

Recovery doesn't begin when a disaster strikes. It begins with the relationships, partnerships, and systems that communities build long before the next storm arrives.

When Hurricane Helene impacted Southwest Virginia, organizations across the region stepped forward to support families, coordinate resources, and begin the difficult work of long-term recovery. Among them was United Way of Southwest Virginia, which quickly shifted from response efforts to helping build the partnerships and infrastructure needed to support communities in the months and years that followed.

In this latest Worthy Ground story, we speak with Dan Rice (Disaster Services Manager) of United Way of Southwest Virginia and Olivia Bailey of Trails to Recovery about what it takes to move from emergency response to long-term recovery. Their experiences offer a powerful reminder that resilience is not built by any one organization alone. It grows through collaboration, trust, preparedness, and a shared commitment to helping neighbors recover and thrive.

Stories like these also highlight why organizations like Invest Appalachia are investing in the relationships, partnerships, and community infrastructure that help make long-term recovery possible.