Resilience in Action: Lessons from MCCLC’s Rapid Hurricane Recovery

When Hurricane Helene hit, it brought more than wind and water—it tested the resilience of our community. MCCLC responded not with panic, but with purpose.

Thanks to our strong community ties and responsive leadership, we reopened safe, healing spaces for students just days after the storm. We coordinated emergency care, expanded meal programs, and collaborated with partners across the county to meet urgent needs.

But we didn’t stop at recovery—we turned it into growth. We used the experience to build better systems for disaster preparedness, expand trauma-informed support, and embed resilience into everything we do.

Songs of Survival—a two-year mental wellness initiative born from this moment—now helps our region process collective trauma through art, service, and storytelling.

Our story isn’t just about surviving a storm. It’s about rising stronger together—and making sure every child has what they need to weather whatever comes next.