FIU stands ready to help our community during this difficult time

Dear FIU family, 

On Thursday morning, our South Florida community woke up to the tragic news of the collapse of a condominium in Surfside. As rescue and recovery efforts continue, and families try to grapple with fear, uncertainty and loss, we at FIU send our heartfelt thoughts to all those impacted by this tragedy. We are also grateful to our first responders, who are working tirelessly to help the victims and their loved ones.

As always, our FIU stands ready to help our community any way we can. I’d like to thank our students and faculty at FIU’s Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, who made and delivered trays of hot food for our first responders working non-stop in Surfside. That’s the Panther way.

How else can we help? Here are some relief efforts set up to help victims and their families: 

• Donate to Operation Helping Hands, a partnership between the United Way of Miami-Dade and the Miami Herald/el Nuevo Herald to help victims with short and long-term needs.
• The Greater Miami Jewish Federation, in partnership with Jewish Community Services of South Florida (JCS) and Mishkan Miami: The Jewish Connection for Spiritual Support, has opened an emergency assistance fund to provide financial assistance, chaplaincy support, crisis counseling and social services. Donate online or mail a check with the notation “Surfside Building Collapse” to Greater Miami Jewish Federation, 4200 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, FL 33137.
• Volunteer to help victims and their families through VolunteerMiami, part of the United Way of Miami-Dade, or through the Town of Surfside.
• Donate to Surfside Support, a hardship fund created by the Miami Heat, the Miami Heat Charitable Fund, the Coral Gables Community Foundation, the Key Biscayne Community Foundation, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and The Miami Foundation.
• Donate to the American Red Cross, which is at the site of the collapse helping with rescue efforts. To donate by phone or to receive assistance with your donation, call 800-HELP-NOW (435-7669).
• Donate to the online fund set up by the Shul of Bal Harbour to help victims and their families.
• The Shul of Bal Harbour, Young Israel of Bal Harbour and Skylake Synagogue are accepting donations at the Shul, 9540 Collins Avenue. Please donate blankets, phone chargers, sweatshirts, water, and snacks. 

• Catholic Charities is also collecting donations online. Please select “Disaster Relief” from the drop-down menu.

If anyone at our university has been directly or indirectly impacted by this incident, we want you to know that there is help. You do not have to face this difficult moment alone.

Students can reach out to FIU’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). Their number is 305-348-2277. Additional resources are available through FIU Panthers Care.

Faculty and staff can call the Office of Employee Assistance (OEA) at 305-348-2469 or email at oea@fiu.edu.

Please do not hesitate to reach out if you need help. At FIU, our priority is your well-being, especially during difficult times.

Thank you,

Mark B. Rosenberg

President