SEMINOLE, Fla. — The founder of a recently created Pinellas County nonprofit called Crisis Connect says he wants to help storm victims who have fallen through the cracks with mental health and financial resources.

What You Need To Know

  • The founder of Pinellas County nonprofit Crisis Connect says he wants to help storm victims who have fallen through the cracks

  • Dr. Terry Collier, who has 35 years of experience as a trauma counselor, decided to create the organization because he saw a need in the community

  • Karissa Jackson, 46, who says her husband died shortly before Hurricane Helene destroyed all of her belongings, has been getting help from Crisis Connect

  • Check the Crisis Connect Facebook page for the latest information about the Beach Aid event planned for Thanksgiving weekend

“What we’re doing right now is trying to throw that lifeline out, saying, 'Don’t give up,'” said founder Dr. Terry Collier. “It’s going to take time, and it’s not going to be easy, but we’re going to make this thing happen together as a community.”

Karissa Jackson, 46, moved into a rental home in Seminole with her two teenage children six days before Hurricane Helene’s record-breaking storm surge hit. Jackson, who did not have flood insurance, said her family lost 95% of their possessions — including two cars — when Helene sent 39 inches of seawater into the home.

“It was very frightening. My anxiety, it was off the charts. My daughter, she was hysterical,” she said. “We really thought that we were going to drown and die.”

To make matters much worse, Jackson’s husband, Bobby Schauer, 46, had unexpectedly died from a heart attack about one month before Helene. Jackson said she was not experiencing back-to-back disasters in less than six weeks — something that took a serious toll on her mental health.

“So losing him and then having to move here and then losing everything,” she said. “I was driving home the other day, and it brought me to tears because we were together for 17 years.”

Jackson said she was put in touch with Collier, 69, who gave her both financial and mental health help. She encourages others to reach out to Crisis Connect.

“To have somebody there to help guide you, to say things that can help you, it definitely helps a lot,” she said. “I just I can’t thank him enough for wanting to help me.” 

Collier, who has 35 years of experience as a trauma counselor, said many storm victims will need mental health resources as they navigate the rebuilding process.

“Crisis is no respecter of persons — the elderly, the young children, marriages, disabilities, businesses,” he said. “Pretty soon, realization is going to step in. And that’s when frustration, that’s when making bad choices and judgment — people are signing contracts, depression, and the ultimate is, 'I can’t take anymore.'”

Collier has teamed up with developer Bill Karns’ ROC Park foundation and Madeira Beach city leaders to host a Thanksgiving weekend event where free meals and mental health counselors will be provided. It’s also a fundraiser for the nonprofit and will take place at ROC Park in Madeira Beach.

“Beach Aid, we’re putting together in Madeira Beach. We’re trying to serve between 2,000 and 3,000 Thanksgiving dinners,” said Karns. “We want to have all of our affiliates there, Crisis Connect, to help with the grief counseling. That’s a big thing right now.”

Karns, 66, has also set up the Mad Beach Donation Center, located at 15042 Madeira Way, where storm victims can find free supplies, which include food, cleaning supplies, clothing, bedding and furniture.

“We took it on the chin, but we’re strong and we’ll come back,” he said. “I’m at that age now where it’s all about helping other people. I’m good, but I want to make sure our community’s good.”

Collier said the resources they provide are for people who don’t have flood insurance and have been falling through the cracks. Thanksgiving plans for Beach Aid are still being finalized with the latest information available at the Crisis Connect Facebook page.