People-Powered Relief,
Community-Driven Recovery.
Crowd-sourced, vetted, emergency information when seconds matter.
Our Mission
R4 exists to break silos in the nonprofit sector, so more resources reach the people programs are meant to serve, before, during, and long after crisis.
We bridge gaps: connecting helpers, moving resources, and building stronger communities.
Our Vision
Communities across the United States that are self-sufficient, resilient, and equipped to respond to disaster and hardship before, during, and long after a crisis event.
Our Aspiration
A nationally scalable, locally controlled infrastructure where neighbors help neighbors and no community is left waiting on a top-down system to catch up.
Get Help
Volunteer
We always need drivers, distribution volunteers, and an extra hand. Remote volunteers are always needed as well.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, R4 worked closely with a network of hubs, nonprofits, and distribution centers to maintain an up-to-date needs list. That coordination has translated into real impact: 164,000+ food boxes delivered, 3,000+ emergency supply deliveries, and countless other efforts for communities who needed it most.
Support R4
Share Our Story
“I’m just a girl with a phone. Toothpaste to civil engineers? I’ve got you, boo.” That line followed Jessi around Western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene. It’s the truest description of how R4 started. Just one person, a phone, and a network of strangers on Discord who showed up because someone asked. The person showing up could have been any of the thousands of people that came to western North Carolina’s aid in early October 2024. Her name was never what mattered, only that humanity and dignity were restored and the needs were met.
This is the story told in A Girl With A Phone, an inspiring children’s book, based on the true story of Hurricane Helene and the people who refused to wait for permission to help. It’s written for kids, but it’s really for anyone who’s ever wondered whether one person with a phone can actually cmake a difference. Net proceeds will be donated to Resilience, Relief & Recovery, Reach, Inc.
Shop Our Store
Every purchase from the R4 shop directly supports our disaster response work and community programs. From gear that starts conversations to tools that show your support, shopping with R4 is another way to be part of what we’re building together.
How We Work: The 4 R’s
Reach
We crowdsource, vet, and publish life-saving information when seconds matter, built for low-bandwidth, high-chaos environments.
Relief
We show up without a cookie-cutter solution. The people living through a crisis know what they need. Our job is to listen and deliver exactly that.
Recovery
We hand the tools back to the community. Local leaders set the priorities and drive the process; we make sure they never have to do it alone.
Resilience
We build lasting infrastructure, open-source tools, vetted networks, and local partnerships, so communities are stronger and better prepared before the next crisis hits.
Good News Travels Fast
R4’s work has been recognized by student researchers, journalists, and community leaders across the country. Read about what we’re doing and why it matters:
Thank You to Our Funding Partners
R4’s work is made possible in part by the generosity of organizations who believe in community-led disaster response. We’re grateful for the support of United Way and Love Mercy International.
Individual donors are, and will always be, our primary source of funding. R4 does not apply for government grants. We’re sustained by people and organizations who choose to invest directly in their neighbors.
Want to join them? R4’s inaugural Dancing Through the Snow Gala (December 2026) is open for sponsors. Sponsorship directly funds our disaster response infrastructure and community programs and puts your organization’s name alongside the partners making this work possible.
Building Stronger Communities. Together.
We don’t do this work alone and neither should you. R4 stands alongside mutual aid groups and community partners across the region, sharing resources so help reaches further.
