More than a roof: Restoring hope in Seminole, Oklahoma
“The funding and the additional manpower were a blessing to our community, but the good spirit that was fostered by Communities Foundation of Oklahoma and CDP gave our ailing community the boost it needed.” —Sharon Emmit, Director of Community Development at Seminole City Hall
In May 2022, a powerful EF-2 multiple-vortex tornado tore through Seminole, Oklahoma, leaving a path of destruction nearly a mile wide. With wind speeds up to 120 mph, the storm damaged or destroyed around 500 homes and wiped out some down to their foundations. Local businesses and a charter school suffered extensive losses, and for many residents, the trauma of displacement and the long road to recovery was overwhelming. An emergency declaration was issued for Seminole County and surrounding areas, triggering FEMA assistance, but the recovery needs far exceeded immediate relief.
Communities Foundation of Oklahoma (CFO) stepped in with meaningful long-term support, sustained by a grant from CDP’s Midwest Early Recovery Fund. To aid recovery efforts, CFO hired a local disaster recovery coordinator to provide long-term recovery assistance to survivors.
The disaster recovery coordinator brought both technical expertise and a human touch to the recovery process. Working out of Seminole City Hall, the coordinator was not a stranger to the community but a neighbor—someone who understood the deep scars left by the tornado and who showed up, not just with forms and funding but with compassion. The coordinator restored a sense of dignity and trust by meeting people face-to-face, knocking on doors, and listening to stories of loss and resilience. Even if the coordinator could not help them directly, the fact that someone noticed them and cared about them made a difference.
In total, 13 individuals received direct assistance, including new roofs and critical interior repairs, and an estimated 70 others were indirectly supported through improved coordination and referrals to resources. The grant was also leveraged to unlock additional funding through partners like USDA, Hope Force International, Catholic Charities and a local bank’s low-income home repair grant program.
The impact of these efforts extended beyond physical repairs. As Sharon Emmit, director of Community Development at Seminole City Hall, noted:
“Two years past a devastating tornado, Seminole residents were still in need. Broken windows, roofs, living under blue tarps – it was as if the blanket that covered our city developed rips and holes that no one resident could fix by themselves. It was amazing to watch Carlie stitch the broken pieces back together with the help of Communities Foundation of Oklahoma and CDP. She continues to get phone calls from the people she has assisted, and gives them direction on contacts that can continue to help.”
This project is an excellent example of equitable, community-led disaster recovery. It shows the value of integrating recovery coordinators in communities and using philanthropic dollars to build trust, identify gaps and unlock additional resources. This aligns with CDP’s mission to strengthen disaster-affected communities, especially those most disproportionately affected, like rural, low-income and marginalized communities.
Recovery isn’t just about rebuilding homes; it’s about restoring hope. Investing in grassroots leadership, partnering with trusted community member and supporting long-term positions will allow communities to navigate complex systems on their own terms.
Story by Juanicia Crump