Rebuilding with Purpose: A Spotlight on Elevated Studio

Hello Friends and Neighbors,

At EFNC, we know that community-driven solutions are at the heart of sustainable change—especially in neighborhoods that have long been overlooked after disaster strikes. One of our most impactful partnerships in this journey is with Elevated Studio, a nonprofit design and planning organization dedicated to helping disaster survivors rebuild stronger, safer, and more equitably.

Founded by architect and community advocate Brian Baer, Elevated Studio offers no-cost architectural and recovery services to homeowners affected by natural disasters. With a people-first approach, they are working closely with EFNC and Eastwick residents to reimagine recovery—one home, one family, and one neighborhood at a time.

Their model goes beyond rebuilding structures—it builds resilience, justice, and long-term security for communities like Eastwick.

🛠️ What Elevated Studio Does:

Survivor-Centered Design & Case Management

They walk side-by-side with disaster survivors from the very first intake all the way to securing a certificate of occupancy—offering free design and planning services tailored to each family’s needs.

Policy Advocacy & Community Education
Elevated Studio engages with local agencies to help residents access recovery funding and educates communities on equitable rebuilding practices that promote long-term resilience.

Sustainable & Inclusive Architecture
They design homes with climate resilience, universal accessibility, and neighborhood context in mind—ensuring that recovery isn’t just fast, but fair.

Long-Term Recovery Partnerships
Their team works across the U.S. with partners like VOAD, local government, and community leaders to support holistic recovery after disasters like Hurricanes Sandy, Harvey, Maria, Ida, and more.

🤝 EFNC x Elevated Studio: A Partnership Rooted in People

EFNC is proud to partner with Elevated Studio to support Eastwick residents in recovering from historic flooding and infrastructure inequities. Our shared mission centers community leadership, equity in rebuilding, and sustainable recovery planning.

Ramona Rousseau-Reid, EFNC board member and lifelong Eastwick resident, has helped anchor this collaboration by bringing local knowledge, advocacy, and heart to every conversation. Together with Brian and the Elevated Studio team, we are charting a new path for disaster-impacted communities—one that uplifts resident voices and ensures that no one is left behind.

💬 Elevating Community Voices: The Eastwick Unmet Needs Roundtable

One of the most pivotal moments in this collaboration was the Eastwick Unmet Needs Roundtable, held in the aftermath of a major hurricane. This gathering brought together local leaders, residents, and national recovery experts—including Elevated Studio—to identify gaps in services and create a unified response plan for flood-affected families.

Facilitated by EFNC, the roundtable created space for honest dialogue around unmet recovery needs—especially among renters, elders, and others often left out of traditional relief programs. Elevated Studio played a critical role in helping document these needs and offer technical design and recovery solutions rooted in community feedback.

This event not only shaped the current partnership but also laid the foundation for ongoing collaboration, trust-building, and resident-centered recovery work in Eastwick.

⭐️ Spotlight Collaboration Podcast Series

EFNC has a goal to increase strategic and intentional collaborations with other community organizations that are creating positive impact in Eastwick and beyond. We are conducting short interviews with a member of the EFNC Board and at least one leader from the spotlight organization.

For our first podcast, we sat down with Ramona, Vice President of EFNC and Brian Baer, the Executive Founder of Elevated Studio. Check out the video below to learn more about the history of this powerful collaboration and future projects.

💡 How Our Collaboration Is Making an Impact:

Community-Based Recovery Design
We're helping residents navigate complex recovery systems with dignity and confidence—offering support through design, documentation, and long-term planning.

Storytelling & Visibility
By lifting up the voices of flood-impacted Eastwick families, we've raised awareness about systemic recovery gaps and mobilized greater community support.

Policy Engagement
EFNC and Elevated Studio are advocating for transparent, inclusive disaster recovery practices—calling for policies that protect and uplift vulnerable communities.

🌟 Leader Spotlight: Brian Baer – Architect of Equity and Resilience

Founder and Executive Director of Elevated Studio, Brian Baer is not only an architect but also a passionate advocate for justice-centered recovery. Through years of experience in post-disaster design work, Brian has shaped a model that centers survivors, rethinks conventional architecture, and empowers communities.

He leads a team of architects, planners, and case managers who are helping families rebuild—not just physically, but emotionally and economically. Under his leadership, Elevated Studio continues to transform lives by bridging the gap between design and human dignity.

📢 Get Involved: How You Can Help Today

🏡 Support Community Recovery
Donate to support architectural and planning services for disaster-impacted families in Eastwick and beyond here.

🧑‍🎓 Join an Educational Session
Learn about equitable recovery, universal design, and flood resilience through EFNC and Elevated Studio’s upcoming community talks here.

📣 Share the Story
Help us spread the word about this vital collaboration by sharing this newsletter with friends, local leaders, and changemakers here.

🤝 Volunteer Your Time
Get involved in advocacy, storytelling, or educational workshops. Your voice and skills can make a lasting impact.

Until next time,
The EFNC Team