GEM 2021  Mission

Surfside Tower Collapse

GEM Mission Specific Press
CBS Miami
Some Rental Relief For Those Who Lost Their Homes In Surfside Catastrophe
WSVN
Surfside collapse survivors receive help from nonprofit organization
Toronto Star
Canadians help Surfside Florida condo collapse survivors rebuild their lives
NBC Miami
Holiday Help for Survivors of Surfside Condo Collapse
CBS Miami
Surfside Collapse Survivors Receive Holiday Gift Cards
CSR Wire
The Financial Industry Comes Together to Help Victims of the Surfside Collapse in Miami
USA Today
These Surfside condo owners survived a harrowing disaster. Now they're forced to battle big insurers.
Insurance Journal
Global Empowerment Mission Provides Housing Assistance for Surfside Victims
Miami Herald
One month after Surfside collapse, survivors face new challenge: Where to live?
WSVN
Global Empowerment Mission, other organizations help Surfside survivors with expenses for long-term housing
Local 10
“Necesitamos un espacio”: Supervivientes del derrumbe de Surfside aún necesitan ayuda tras la tragedia
AP
Charities providing housing assistance to collapse survivors
CNN
What will happen to the Surfside building collapse site?
Miami Herald
Nightlife mogul to relief promoter: Michael Capponi works phones for Surfside survivors
Washington Post
Survivors of the Surfside building collapse worry: What’s next?
Newsweek
Surfside Condo Demolished 10 Days After Collapse, 121 Still Missing
Newsweek
Surfside Survivors Don't Expect to Return to Standing Sections to Retrieve Possessions
News 4 SA
Group raising funds to help Florida building collapse victims
Thrillist
5 Ways to Support Survivors of the Surfside Condo Collapse
New York Times
Live Updates: Death Toll Rises in Florida Condo Collapse
NBC Miami
Miami Building Collapse: How to Help Survivors, Victims' Families
Business Insider
More than $1 million has been raised for families impacted by the Florida condo collapse
Washington Post
As Surfside community members wait for news, they are inundated by hundreds of acts of kindness
New York Post
Florida tower survivor describes anguished cries of trapped neighbors
NBC Miami
Generosity From Donors, Appreciation From Recipients Following Surfside Collapse
Local 10
HOW TO HELP: Here’s a list of resources to support those impacted by the Surfside building collapse
Fox News
Bethenny Frankel organizing donations after Miami building collapses

Summary Stats

$ 0
GEM Bstrong Visa cards already distributed.
$ 0
Paid in Relocation Deposits
0
Family Necessities Kits Delivered
$ 0
Champlain Tower Residents Fund Raised
0
Restaurant Groups
supporting First Responders
$ 0
Walmart Gift cards already distributed
$ 0
GEM Bstrong Visa cards for employees
0
Families Relocated

Phase 1:

Disaster Relief

Global Empowerment Mission BStrong is responding in the first, second and third phase disaster relief, by supplying $4000 GEM Bstrong Visa Card + $400 Walmart Gift + Uber cards $120 through our Champlain Tower Residents Fund. In addition, all survivor units will receive 1 laptop computer.

100% of all funds donated will be distributed amongst survivors to assist them with short term cash for emergency essentials.

GEM bstrong has also been supporting the Shul of Bal Harbour with Family Necessities Kits and supporting First Responders at Mobile Mike’s tent with essential goods and meals from restaurant groups.

  • As of today, July 20, 2021 unit owners or tenants from Champlain Towers South (8777 Collins Ave) have each receive a minimum of $4000.00 GEM Bstrong Visa card + $400 Walmart gift card + Laptop computer per family for short term incidentals. (Dividends to survivors are on going) Each survivor is also eligible for a 1-2 moth free short term condo hotel apartment.
  • Families traveling to Miami to recover missing persons can get $500 to $1000 on an as per case basis per unit. (Final date to pick was July 15.) This program is now closed.
  • Displaced unit owners from Champlain Towers North & East and are eligible for a $500 Visa Card only if they are not willing to stay in their units during this period. (Final date to pick up July 12) This program is now closed.
  • After July 15, any additional funds collected will be redistributed amongst only 8777 Collins Ave Survivors to assist them in long term recovery.
  • To access these funds, go to the Global Empowerment Mission booth at the SeaView Hotel (9909 Collins Ave, Bal Harbour Fl 33154) from 12 to 3:00pm until Friday, July 23. Proof of Residency Required.

Phase 2

The Gap Period​

Global Empowerment Mission Bstrong in partnership with the Alexander Team has assembled a portfolio of over 100 apartments for surviving residents.

Phase 3

Sustainable Development

Global Empowerment Mission in partnership with The Shul of Bal Harbour and its funding partners EZS events, Hatzalah of South Florida and Red Table Talk has launched a new program to assist Champlain Towers Survivors with first, last and security deposits on their new annual leases.

This phase includes a new fund we just launched specifically to assist only primary residents with long-term housing. GEM will be placing the first, security and last month’s payments to vetted families that cannot afford to do this or do not qualify for FEMA. As of November 20, 2021, $242,523 has been paid by GEM on rents and security deposits. In addition, another $30,000 in Visa cards were distributed for the holidays.

Thank you to the Alexander Team from Douglas Elliman for finding and negotiating leases for survivors at no cost.

Sue Hostetler & Beau Wrigley
Family Foundation Inc

Karla and Dylan Dascal

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