Help Foster Teens Rebuild After Hurricanes Helene & Milton – They’ve Lost Everything Twice

In just two weeks, Florida was struck by two devastating hurricanes—Hurricane Helene on September 26th, 2024, and Hurricane Milton on October 10th, 2024. The foster teens supported by Madi’s Movement have lost everything—not once, but twice, and we urgently need your help to provide them with a lifeline.

I’m Effie Santos, founder of Madi’s Movement, based in Florida. Our mission is to guide foster teens and young adults who have aged out of care toward independence and a brighter future. But now, their lives have been shattered by these back-to-back storms, leaving them homeless, without transportation, and with no access to basic necessities.

The need is critical. Many of these teens, who already lacked family support, lost their homes, cars, and belongings in Hurricane Helene. They had just begun to pick up the pieces when Hurricane Milton hit, causing further destruction. Now, they’re desperate for the essentials needed to survive and rebuild, including reliable transportation to get to work and school. Without cars, many are struggling to make it to their jobs, and without jobs, they can’t afford to rebuild their lives.

One of our teens, who aged out of foster care just 26 days ago, lost his home, car, and everything he owned in the first storm. Many others are in the same heartbreaking situation—still living in shelters because their homes are destroyed, with no transportation to access work, food, or even basic supplies.

Your donation can help these young adults get back on their feet:

- $25 provides a hot meal to someone still living without power or a safe home.

- $50 helps cover Uber or Lyft rides to work, giving them a chance to earn income and rebuild.

- $100 provides groceries for a week, bringing stability in a time of chaos.

- $500 replaces a bed or essential furniture destroyed by the floodwaters.

- $1000 pays for a month’s rent, giving them a safe place to stay while they get back on their feet.

Every dollar will make a direct impact. These young adults are already facing incredible challenges without family to support them. Now, they are left without transportation, homes, or any way to move forward. Many are still living in shelters with no power, their belongings washed away. Over 60% of foster youth struggle with housing insecurity already, and the devastating effects of these storms have only made things worse.

In addition to emergency housing and supplies, we’re asking for funding to provide Uber or Lyft gift cards to help these teens get to and from work and school. Without reliable transportation, they are at risk of losing their jobs, which are essential for them to rebuild their lives.

Please, don’t wait. These foster teens have lost everything, not just once but twice, and they desperately need our help to recover. Your donation today will provide transportation, housing, food, and other essentials, giving these young adults the chance to regain their stability and hope.

Donate now to make an immediate impact and help foster teens rebuild after this unprecedented devastation.

To learn more about Madi’s Movement, visit www.madismovement.org

Thank you for your generosity. Together, we can help them rebuild and restore hope for a brighter future.