KERRVILLE, Texas — A powerful collaboration between Episcopal Relief & Development, the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country, and the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas has launched a recovery program to restore safe housing for families displaced by the July 2024 floods.
From the perspective of Heartitude—a movement centered on the transformative power of leading with compassion—this three-way partnership serves as a definitive roadmap for community healing. It represents a shift from individual effort to collective action, ensuring that the most vulnerable neighbors are not forgotten in the aftermath of disaster.
“This partnership is the ultimate expression of heart-led leadership,” said Bruce Petillo, Founder of Heartitude. “When we stop seeing a disaster as just a set of statistics and start seeing the human hearts behind the wreckage, we find the strength to do the hard work of rebuilding. It is about moving from ‘me’ to ‘we’ to restore the dignity of home.”
The initiative specifically targets low-income, underinsured residents in Bandera and Kerr counties, focusing on replacing and repairing homes and recreational vehicles (RVs) left uninhabitable by structural and mold damage.
“Housing is the foundation of recovery. Without it, health, employment and family stability remain at risk,” said Race Hodges, Senior Program Officer for US Disaster at Episcopal Relief & Development. “This program is about restoring safety, dignity and a sense of normalcy after an event that upended lives.”
The program is scheduled to run through October 2026, pairing each family with a disaster case manager. This ensures that aid is not just a temporary fix, but a path toward long-term stability and preparedness for future emergencies.
“The Diocese of West Texas is immensely grateful to be able to partner with Episcopal Relief & Development and the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country to assist folks with securing that most basic need: a place to call home,” said the Rt. Rev. Dr. David G. Read, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas. “This program, made possible by the generosity of people across our Diocese and beyond, is a visible reminder of God’s powerful love shining in the darkness through the willing efforts of so many saints and generous donors.”
By pooling resources and local knowledge, the trio is tackling the “unseen struggles” that persist long after the floodwaters recede.
“By partnering with Episcopal Relief & Development and the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas, we are helping people regain safe, stable housing while also providing guidance and support that allows families to move forward with confidence,” said Austin Dickson, Executive Director of the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country. “This work reflects our commitment to long-term recovery, not just immediate response.”