From Devastation to Homecoming: Supporting a Family After a Devastating Fire

Over the holiday season, a family at our school lost much of their home to a severe fire. The principals quickly alerted me to the emergency and asked me to reach out. What I learned was heartbreaking: the children were temporarily staying with friends, the family had no insurance and no funds for repairs, and the guardians were sleeping in their truck to stay close by.

Drawing on my knowledge of community resources, I immediately connected the family with a local non-profit specializing in home renovations. Together with Communities In Schools, Band of Brothers, area churches, food pantries, and other partners, we coordinated urgent support—providing temporary shelter during the rebuild, along with food, clothing, and essential supplies to ease the burden.

The collaboration paid off beautifully: the family has now safely moved back into their fully renovated home. In a touching gesture of gratitude, they hosted a celebratory dinner for everyone who helped—volunteers, organizations, and supporters alike. Being able to step in during such a crisis, coordinate wraparound resources, and witness the family’s return to stability was profoundly rewarding. It’s a powerful example of how Communities In Schools empowers staff to meet families’ most urgent needs, turning emergency into hope and rebuilding stronger futures.