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As the summer season approaches and the one-year anniversary of the historic and tragic flood in the Texas Hill Country nears, the community continues to heal and bond to restore homes and lives. The faith, hope, and fortitude reflected throughout the Hill Country is a testament to the community’s genuine love and God’s promise to always be present.
Multiple organizations have joined forces to work together to address the spiritual and physical needs of the victims of the flood. The Episcopal Diocese of West Texas has partnered with Episcopal Relief & Development (ERD) and The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country to provide housing to individuals whose homes were lost in the flood.
Recreational Vehicle (RV) and Manufactured Home Recovery Program
Through generous grants provided by The Community Foundation and ERD, the Diocese of West Texas is leading the effort to provide safe housing by the one-year anniversary of the flood to 50% of those who lost their homes. The RV and Manufactured Home Recovery and Resilience Program supports low-income residents who are un- or underinsured in finding a path to recovery.
- Over $3.4 Million Currently Committed
- A total of 50 households to be re-homed by July 4, 2026
Overseeing the daily operations is Program Manager, Jody Guerra who works closely with Race Hodges, Program Officer at ERD, The Rt. Rev. Dr. David G. Read, Bishop of West Texas, and diocesan staff, Canon Caroline Mowen, Canon for Administration and Ministry Support, and Anna Tarver, CFO, to manage and disperse resources that help households get back into a home. Guerra reviews applications for grants and negotiates and works closely with RV and Manufactured Home vendors to provide vehicles as quickly as possible to grant recipients. St. Peter’s in Kerrville serves as the primary location for the intake of grant applications. Vendor relationships are established based on multiple criteria that align with the goals of the program. Guerra states, “Supporting the mission behind the program is an essential factor in vendor partnerships- demonstrating authentic love and collaboration that results in the rapid re-homing of individuals who have endured great loss.”
The Diocese has a long relationship with ERD, receiving support whenever a diocesan community is impacted by a disaster. Following Hurricane Harvey, ERD was instrumental in helping the South Texas Coastal Region to recover from the devastation of the storm.
The investment from the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country makes it possible to address both immediate housing loss and longer-term resilience, as each participating family is paired with a disaster case manager to identify housing needs, select appropriate RVs, and ensure home repairs meet safety and quality standards.
Bishop Read shared, “The Diocese of West Texas is immensely grateful to be able to partner with Episcopal Relief & Development and the Community Foundation to assist folks with securing that most basic need: a place to call home. This program, alongside the work done by St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Kerrville, is a visible reminder of God’s powerful love shining in the darkness through the willing efforts of so many saints and generous donors.”
The program is designed to be a blueprint for future collaborations between organizations, coming together to have maximum impact in a designated area of assistance following a disaster.
Hodges shared, “This work exists because of a deep collaborative spirit, enduring presence, trust, and infrastructure of The Episcopal Church locally, and a long history of Episcopal Relief and Development walking alongside communities in disaster recovery. Guided not by efficiency or reward, but by a shared calling to serve. We are most grateful for this collaboration and the generosity of The Community Foundation whose philanthropic work in the Texas Hill Country is restoring and healing lives.”
After the July 4 flood, many families lost not just their homes but their sense of stability,” Austin Dickson, CEO of the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country, said in an announcement issued by ERD earlier this year. “By partnering with Episcopal Relief & Development and the 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. This work reflects our commitment to long-term recovery, not just immediate response, and to ensuring our neighbors have a more secure foundation for the future.”
Click here to view a video presentation with more information on the program.
St. Peter’s in Kerrville Brings Light to Aid Spiritual and Mental Health Recovery
The Help and Hope for the Hill Country ministry, established by St. Peter’s, Kerrville, continues to provide invaluable support and resources to the community through multiple services offered to individuals affected by the flood.
Funding received through donations to the ministry, along with contributions received at the Diocese of West Texas and a grant from ERD, go towards financial, spiritual and mental health programs available at no cost to those seeking support including:
· Financial relief available through individual grants.
· Medical and mental health services available at the Help and Hope Village in Hunt –for individuals experiencing trauma and grief.
· Healing retreats such as, Healing on the Fly, a men's fly-fishing retreat for those impacted by the July 4th flood.
· Art Therapy.
· Equine Therapy.
· Sunday services offered in Hunt Chapel at the Hunt Pavilion.
The Rev. Bert Baetz, Rector at St. Peter’s, made an exciting announcement on Friday, March 27. Through a most generous gift of land donated by Deborah and Ross Rommel, St. Peter’s will have a permanent presence in Hunt through the establishment of a new church on land adjacent to the Hunt Pavillion. The Hunt Chapel serves as both a physical and spiritual anchor for the Hunt community, offering a place for worship and fellowship. St. Peter’s hope to have a permanent chapel will now come to fruition through the blessing of this gift. In his announcement, Rev. Baetz said, “This space will be a sacred and welcoming space where our worship will meet the beautiful setting of the Texas Hill Country. This chapel will be a beacon of hope for the future.”
Click here to listen to the announcement.
Click here to watch a video on the work being done through the RV Home Recovery Video
Click here to watch a video on St. Peter's Help and Hope Ministry.
