Our History

The Disaster Recovery Partnership (DRP) was established in response to the need for a central, community-driven long-term recovery effort for Henderson County residents following Tropical Storm Helene. Serving as the organizing force for DRP, the United Way of Henderson County (UWHC) brought together a coalition of over 50 local nonprofits, faith-based organizations, and government entities after Helene. This effort organized over 1,500 volunteers, who logged more than 6,600 hours in response to immediate demands, connecting over 1,300 households to critical services and supplies. These immediate response successes underscored a clear gap: while FEMA, individual nonprofits, and other organizations provided considerable assistance, there remained no coordinated initiative to guide survivors through the maze of available programs and ensure that survivors receive essential services without duplication.

Serving as the DRP's fiscal sponsor, UWHC is guiding the DRP through its initial phases to establish it as a nonprofit entity.  The DRP, led by an Advisory Board of nonprofit professionals and community leaders, brings together nonprofit organizations across Henderson County with the mission of uniting and empowering Henderson County communities in the face of disasters by promoting effective information sharing, simplifying access to critical resources for individuals and families, and collaboratively addressing unmet needs.