The City of Atlantic Beach is considering establishing a community resilience hub -- potentially at one of its community centers. A community resilience hub is a safe space designed to support residents before, during, and after disruptions such as natural disasters or other emergencies. They are typically housed in trusted, community-managed facilities.
According the urban sustainability directors network these hubs are “community-serving facilities augmented to support residents, coordinate communication, distribute resources, and reduce carbon pollution while enhancing quality of life. Hubs provide an opportunity to effectively work at the nexus of community resilience, emergency management, climate change mitigation, and social equity while providing opportunities for communities to become more self-determining, socially connected, and successful before, during, and after disruptions.”
The goal of resilience hubs is to strengthen communities and their ability to respond to challenges. They do this by providing a variety of resources and services, including:
- Information and education about preparedness, disaster relief, and recovery
- A central location for communication and coordination during emergencies
- Distribution of food, water, and other essential supplies
- Shelter and other forms of assistance to those in need
- Mental health and emotional support services
Resilience hubs can also play a role in helping communities to build long-term resilience by:
- Identifying and addressing the root causes of vulnerability
- Promoting social cohesion and connection
- Supporting local businesses and economies
Overall, community resilience hubs are an important tool for helping communities to weather storms, both literally and figuratively.
Questions about this initiative? Email info@coab.us.