St. Petersburg, FL –Volunteers of America of Florida (VOAF) is proud to partner in providing support through Project C.O.P.E. (Caring for Our People in Emergencies), an initiative designed to address the ongoing impact of Hurricane Milton from the 2024 hurricane season affecting residents of Pinellas County.
This project is possible through funding and cooperation from Central Florida Behavioral Health Network (CFBHN), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF).
Support and Community Engagement
Beginning October 27, 2025, the Project C.O.P.E. team will actively engage with the community to extend much-needed aid.
“We are gearing up to get back out into the community to help those still recovering from Hurricane Milton. We want to ensure residents have access to resources that support their emotional well-being, housing, employment, and more. We look forward to connecting and expanding our reach.”
– Keyenna Tate, Disaster Recovery Clinical Project Manager, VOAF
This response underscores the pressing need for services and support among the residents of Pinellas County, still grappling with the aftermath of Hurricane Milton.
Envisioning a Resilient Community
Project C.O.P.E. aims to restore hope and resilience in Pinellas County by offering:
- Mental Health Services: Compassionate individual and group counseling to support emotional well-being.
- Community Resources: Information on local organizations ready to assist with jobs, housing, food, and more.
- Comprehensive Needs Assessment and Referrals: Connecting individuals with the resources they desperately need.
- Public Education: Understanding the effects of natural disasters and practical coping strategies for recovery and future resilience.
Project C.O.P.E.’s mission is to help community members cope with the stress of natural disasters, recover from their impacts, and build resilience against future challenges. “Our project hopes to instill lasting skills for coping, managing stress, and accessing resources and mental health services that promote independence and self-sustainability.” Added Jacquelyn Mastriani, Disaster Recovery Team Lead, VOAF.
Learn More
Volunteers of America of Florida invites all those in need of Project C.O.P.E. to reach out. Visit https://www.voaflorida.org/locations/voafprojectcope/ Phone: 1-656-777-1573 Email: ProjectCOPE@voa-fla.org.
Together, bolstered by the strength of our community and the unwavering spirit of assistance that defines Volunteers of America of Florida, we stride towards a more resilient and hopeful future for all residents of Pinellas County.
About Volunteers of America of Florida
Volunteers of America of Florida is a faith-based, human service organization that engages Floridians in need, including unhoused Veterans, individuals and families experiencing homelessness, those diagnosed with mental health and cognitive conditions, and vulnerable seniors. Volunteers of America of Florida creates positive life changes through housing and supportive services (i.e., behavioral health, case management, and more). Thousands of Floridians in-need are served each year across the state of Florida. For more information, visit Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, or Instagram.