The nonprofit Resilience Force is working to build a dedicated workforce to address labor shortages in disaster-stricken communities across the United States, according to its founder, Saket Soni. The organization aims to provide skilled workers for rebuilding efforts following natural disasters like hurricanes, fires, and floods, which often leave communities facing significant infrastructure damage and a lack of available labor.
Resilience Force not only advocates for the rights of these so-called resilience workers but also collaborates with contractors to improve pay and safety standards. A key component of its strategy is a structured certification program designed to equip workers with technical and safety skills for jobs such as roof repairs, which are considered less susceptible to automation. The nonprofit then connects these certified workers to available jobs.
The organization's model seeks to confront interconnected crises, including climate change, a national housing shortage, and a challenging job market. Soni highlighted that the initiative also implicitly addresses anti-immigration sentiment by showcasing the contributions of immigrant workers in rebuilding communities.
In one instance, Resilience Force workers, many of whom were immigrants, assisted a conservative family in Florida whose home was damaged by Hurricane Michael. Despite initial apprehension from the homeowners, the workers successfully rebuilt the damaged house. Soni noted this experience as an example of how collaboration can bridge societal divides, observing that "Everybody's focused on how polarized the country is. I see the opposite."
Resilience Force operates with philanthropic funding for its in-house activities and provides pro bono assistance to uninsured homeowners when possible. This approach comes as communities face increasing recovery complexities due to budget and staffing reductions at federal agencies like the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).