The transformative power of love, empathy and solidarity in Amory, Mississippi
“It has truly been a fulfilling experience volunteering with Love Without Walls and serving families recovering from the tornado in Monroe County. Seeing an organization that genuinely has a heart for people and works tirelessly to meet both physical and emotional needs has been inspiring. Whether helping with distributions, supporting recovery efforts or simply encouraging survivors, every moment has reminded me how important compassion and community are during difficult times. I’m grateful to be part of something that is making a real difference in the lives of others,” said JR, a volunteer with Love Without Walls.
In March 2023, a devastating EF-3 tornado tore through Monroe County, Mississippi, leaving a trail of destruction. Hundreds of homes, businesses and the local high school were damaged or destroyed, and countless lives were forever changed.
Supported by a CDP Tornado Recovery Fund grant, through their fiscal sponsor, the CREATE Foundation, Love Without Walls, an organization dedicated to ensuring that no one is left behind before, during and after disasters, helped more than 2,500 individuals in Monroe County begin rebuilding their lives. Beyond immediate relief, the organization provided tailored support, including case management, financial education, technical assistance, emotional and spiritual support, and job placement assistance.
The work was concentrated in Ward 2, the historically Black section of the small Northeast Mississippi city of Amory, population 7,000. Love Without Walls is deeply rooted in the community and began addressing needs immediately after the tornado touched down. CDP is proud to have awarded the organization the first grant to support recovery, funding the operations of this grassroots, recovery-focused organization for two years.
CDP’s investment helped Love Without Walls operate as a trusted, community-based recovery hub for tornado survivors in Amory. The grant directly supported survivors who faced systemic barriers to recovery, including low-income households, Black residents, rental housing tenants, older adults, and families navigating job loss, informal home ownership or heirship property challenges.
This grant affirmed the importance of community-rooted recovery leadership. With CDP’s flexible funding, Love Without Walls was able to respond in real time to the needs of survivors who fell outside traditional recovery programs with tailored case management, community-wide gatherings to collect and distribute in-kind donations, and spiritual-emotional care, ensuring no one was left behind due to technicalities or systemic gaps.
“Recovery is not just about rebuilding structures—it’s about restoring dignity, stability and hope. CDP’s support allowed us to walk alongside our neighbors for the long haul. We were able to fulfill our mission as in our mission statement. Embodying the transformative power of love, empathy and solidarity, we are steadfast in our mission to create a community where every individual is seen, heard and supported, leaving no one behind on their path to healing and renewal,” shared Tracy L. Hadley, executive director, Love Without Walls
The project enhanced local recovery coordination by serving as a bridge between formal recovery systems and residents who might otherwise disengage due to mistrust, documentation issues or digital barriers. Love Without Walls ensured these voices stayed engaged and received critical support. The grant also enabled the organization to participate in the local long-term recovery group’s (LTRG) unmet needs funding committee, where they collaborated with other funding partners to provide material assistance to meet survivors’ needs that could not be met by the other LTRG committees.
For Love Without Walls, the project increased organizational capacity, formalized systems, and positioned the organization as a credible recovery partner, strengthening long-term sustainability and preparedness for future community needs. The organization learned that flexibility, trust and cultural competence are essential for just recovery, particularly in rural communities with a history of disinvestment.
During the grant term, Love Without Walls filed for and received 501 (c) (3) designation as a charitable nonprofit organization and became a member of Mississippi Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD). At the 2025 National VOAD Conference in Louisville, Ky, Tracy Hadley, founder and executive director of Love Without Walls, was presented with the prestigious Spirit Award, which recognizes one “unsung hero” who has demonstrated outstanding commitment to the VOAD movement and its mission.
CDP is proud to have helped Love Without Walls remain present, consistent and responsive over time—meeting survivors where they were and walking alongside them through prolonged recovery.
Story by Ruja Entcheva