(For more information or to volunteer contact Patsy Glista, AIM, LDR Coordinator for Upstate New York at (315) 289-2686 or pglista@lutherancare.org)

Conference Disaster Response Teams will serve as the first responding coordination entity for LDR in Upstate NY in the event of a disaster that requires 1) support of a Lutheran congregation or its members, and/or 2) long term recovery involvement.  The Team Leader will serve as the liaison with the LDR Coordinator, the chair of the LDR Leadership Team, or a designated synod/district staff person.  Training will be provided to members.

Response Team Leader: The primary responsibility of the Team Leader (TL) is to provide a single point of contact for the Upstate New York Lutheran Disaster Response Coordinator should there be a need for a response from the Lutheran Disaster Response Team.  Team Leader is assigned a specific area of responsibility within the Upstate New York Lutheran Synod (usually their conference).  The TL will work collaboratively with and regularly communicate with the Lutheran Disaster Response Coordinator (LDR Coordinator).  The TL is the primary responder to a scene or area where a disaster has occurred and provides information back to the LDR Coordinator as to the level of assistance that may be needed.  The TL is responsible to ensure that established standards and protocols are adhered to when a LDR team response is coordinated and scheduled.  The TL is responsible for ensuring that the LDR team response activity is documented.  The TL should be available to attend any area Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) or other relevant local meetings.  The TL may need to act as a liaison with other disaster response organizations.

Assistant Response Team Leader: The primary responsibility of the Assistant Team Leader (ATL) is to provide assistance to the Team Leader.  Assignments may vary due to the type and magnitude of the disaster that the LDR Team is responding to.  The ATL provides assistance to a Team Leader at an assigned disaster site. In the absence of an assigned Team Leader, the ATL will assume the responsibilities of Team Leader.  In the event the ATL steps up to the TL position he/she will need to quickly identify another member of the team to serve as their assistant team leader.  The ATL will serve as the recorder for response team activity on behalf of the Team Leader. (Refer to Team Leader job description for specific details).

Public Information Officer:  The Public Information Officer (PIO) is the response team communicator at the scene of a disaster and provides regular information updates to synod and/or district communication staff as well as the LDR Coordinator.  The PIO is available to provide assistance to the LDR Coordinator and the Upstate New York Synod, Office of the Bishop, when dealing with the news media.  The PIO is responsible to gather information, review the information and then be prepared to present or prepare statements that will be given to the synod communications staff for news media about the events and the involvement of the LDR Team at a disaster site.

Case Management Facilitator:  The Case Management Facilitator (CMF) is a member of the long term disaster recovery structure and represents Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) at the long term recovery table.  He/She is responsible for organizing the system and functionaries in the case management operation including client intake, assessment and delivery of services to meet unmet needs of disaster victims.  He/She also plans regular case management meetings/conference calls and provides case management instruction and training as needed and relevant.  The CMF oversees the direct service provision to clients as identified by the unmet needs committee or other appropriate referral sources.  Case management services are typically provided through a network of case managers from government, non-profit and faith based social service agencies and may include both paid and volunteer persons.  The CMF may need to recruit volunteers for case management and will maintain regular communication with both volunteer and agency case managers.  The CMF provides information about referral services to disaster victims and assesses and assigns cases to case managers.  The CMF insures the oversight and maintenance of client records. The CMF works with unmet needs and long term recovery committees to seek out appropriate resources to address client needs.  The CMF may be called upon to monitor the spending of LDR funds and/or asked to participate in fund raising, community organizing and/or public education activities at a disaster site.

Resource Development Coordinator: The primary responsibility of the Resource Development Coordinator (RDC) is the initiation, coordination and monitoring of fundraising efforts including the tracking of in-kind donations both following a disaster and throughout a response by the Lutheran Disaster Response Team.  The RDC provides assistance to the Upstate New York Synod Lutheran Disaster Response Coordinator (LDR Coordinator).  The RDC is the primary point of contact for all fundraising and donations management questions and coordination that may be needed.  The RDC is responsible to ensure that established standards and protocols are adhered to.  The RDC is responsible for insuring documentation & acknowledgement of funds and donated materials received following a disaster.  Working in coordination with fraternal fundraising entities, i.e. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, congregations in and around the affected areas and the Upstate NY Synod and LCMS district offices, the RDC will develop a comprehensive fundraising plan.

Volunteer Management Coordinator:  The role of the Volunteer Management Coordinator (VMC) is to recruit, train, assign and manage the volunteer response to a disaster.  This position will involve coordinating both spontaneous volunteer and non-spontaneous volunteer activity in response to the ever changing identified needs of the disaster.  He/she will work in coordination with all other Response Team members and with other community organizations involved in the immediate, intermediate and long-term recovery response of a disaster.  The VMC will need to assess volunteer skills, identify appropriate volunteer skill sets to meet the disaster response tasks, register volunteers, and maintain a system for tracking all volunteer activity relevant to the response.  This position may be working with congregations, other faith based organizations, community volunteer agencies, and many others interested in volunteering time and resources to the disaster response.  They need to be a good communicator and negotiator.  Skills needed:  organization, experience managing volunteers helpful.

Spiritual Care Coordinator: LDR seeks to offer presence and hospitality; to meet, accept and respect persons exactly as they are: and to do no harm, i.e. never evangelize, proselytize or exploit persons in vulnerable need, in response to disaster related needs.  Disaster spiritual care devotes presence, attention and respectful assistance to helping people discern meaning in their lives and to seek to live with new meaning and hope in an environment of destruction and pain.  Tasks may include: (1) Initiate or support special worship services, counseling, commemorative events, and other events that enhance the spiritual well-being of disaster survivors; (2) Form & train a spiritual and/or mental health taskforce in outreach techniques and providing resources to survivors and the community at large; (3) Prepare and distribute information on common disaster reactions, coping mechanisms, self care, where to get help, etc; (4) Offer security and appropriate human contact to survivors through information, gathering sites, programs; (5) Sustain unique social spaces & activities that are age, gender, or culture specific for bereavement groups, children’s recreation, and youth interests, etc.; (6)Identify sites where groups of survivors and care-givers are likely to congregate & offer appropriate mental health/spiritual health services; (7)Assess mental or spiritual needs of individuals & community; (8)Support & assist survivors with specific, tangible problems – i.e. location of family members or child care; (9)Advocate for appropriate delivery of services where mental health  issues are identified; and (10)Use gathering opportunities to communicate through symbolic actions, senses, emotions & symbols rather than just words – meals, study groups, musical events & specific culture-oriented occasions.

Please remember this information changes as recovery progresses.

LOUISIANA

St. Bernard Project

8324 Parc Place

Chalmette, LA 70043

Phone: (504) 277-6831

www.stbernardproject.org

General Inquiries- info@stbernardproject.org

Volunteer Inquiries- volunteer@stbernardproject.org

On the first work day, volunteers participate in orientation at the St. Bernard Project office, learn about the Project, receive volunteer assignments, and get directions to the work site.

You are responsible for your housing and meals.

Housing is available at Camp Hope 3, 1914 Aycock Street, Arabi, LA 70032

Phone: 504-355-4442, http://camphope.toolsfororgs.com.

Other housing options are listed on the St. Bernard Project web site.

Camp Restore – RAI Ministries (Recovery Assistance, Inc.)

9301 Chef Menteur Highway

New Orleans, LA 70127

Telephone

Toll-Free Phone Number: 1-888-248-2636 (Camp Biloxi and Camp Restore)

504-242-2636 (Camp Restore)

Fax: 504-242-5885 (Camp Restore)

www.raiministries.org

Construction and non-construction opportunities are available for groups.

Lutheran Social Services Disaster Response

Contact: Jessica Vermilyea, State Director, Lutheran Disaster Response,

1717 Tchoupitoulas Street

New Orleans, LA 70130

Cell: 504-376-9121

jessica.vermilyea@lsss.org

Volunteers are referred to other partners in the area that continue to house and coordinate. Referral list is available by request.

LOUISIANA

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance

Toll-Free Phone Number 866-732-6121

www.pcusa.org/pda/response/usa/gulfcoast/volunteervillages-index.htm

Three locations are hosting teams, in response to Hurricane Katrina.  They are Houma, Lake Charles and New Orleans.

Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church

5800 Canal Boulevard

New Orleans, LA 70124

Phone: 504-482-4994

Mailing address: PO Box 791163, New Orleans, LA 70179

info@gracenola.com

Pastor Leon Philpot, Synodically Authorized Minister

lphilpot@cox.net

Grace continues to host and recruit volunteers well into 2010.

Operation Nehemiah

400 N. Rampart Street, 2nd Floor

New Orleans, LA  70112

www.operationnehemiah.com

Fred Franke, Director

504-782-3337

ffranke@operationnehemiah.com, ffranke@cox.net

There are several housing options ranging from a donation of $8 to $45 per person per day or night.

Projects fall in Four Categories:

1) Individual & Family Projects—although some of these fall in the category of demolition, most deal with every stage of rebuilding.

2) Community Projects—this could be anything to help restore the community.

3) Green Projects—this could be tree plantings, wetlands restoration, and more.

4) Specialty Projects—work with the elderly, youth, at-risk children and homeless.

MISSISSIPPI

Camp Victor – Futures for Families

1515 Government Street

Ocean Springs, MS 39564

Phone: 228-875-0313

Fax: 228-875-7328

www.futuresforfamilies.org

The cost for housing and meals is $25.00 per person per night.

Accepts youth groups in accordance with the camps youth policy between ages 14-17

Moravian Disaster Response – Mississippi Mission

Mississippi Mission House

6809 Oakhurst Drive

Ocean Springs, MS 39564

Phone: 336-225-3540

www.moravianmission.org/mdr/ms_mission_house.pdf

Mark Ebert, Director of Volunteer Ministries

mebert@mcsp.org

Mark will provide help in your planning process, including your housing options and offer work coordination through the appropriate agency.

Mississippi Mission House has beds for sleeping 10. Must cook your own meals. A donation of $200 is encouraged to offset utilities.

iaiministries.org

Heritage United Methodist Church

4322 Popps Ferry Road

D’Iberville, MS 39540

Phone: 228-392-4288

Sheila Gillies – 228-861-6039, shegill@juno.com

heritageumc2@cableone.net

www.heritageumc2.org

Housing costs – no charge, donations accepted to help defray expenses

On your own for meal preparation, bring food and cooks/kitchen help.

Minimum age – 15 years and older

Hope Community Development Agency

East Biloxi Coordination Relief & Redevelopment

www.hopecda.org

Contact Brian Rivers, Volunteer Coordinator

425 Division Street

Biloxi, MS 39530

Office: 228-435-7180

Cell: 228-918-0229

brivers@hopecda.org

Housing at Seashore United Methodist Assembly (see below).

Seashore United Methodist Assembly – Housing in Biloxi for Volunteers

1410 Leggett Drive

Biloxi, MS 39530

Phone: 228-436-6767

E-mail: sumasuma@bellsouth.net

www.seashoreassembly.org

Mississippi United Methodist Disaster Response and Katrina Recovery

To help with Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts in Mississippi

Toll-Free Phone Number: 866-435-7091

www.mississippi-umc.org/pages/detail/763

E-mail: disastercenter@meridianumc.org

Two camps currently function on the Mississippi Coast.  They are Camp Love, 13183 C John Clark Road, Gulfport and Camp Hope, 13624 Highway 57, Vancleave.

Each of the camps requires a $15.00 donation per day per person to operate the camp.  This figure includes lodging costs and food.

Mission on the Bay – Futures for Families

647 DeMontluzin St.

Bay St. Louis, MS 39520

Phone: 228-466-2900

Fax: 228-466-2999

www.futuresforfamilies.org

The cost for housing and meals is $25.00 per person per night.

Accepts youth groups in accordance with the camps youth policy between ages 14-17

Rebuild Lakeshore, a ministry of Lakeshore Baptist Church

Lakeshore Baptist Church Mailing address:

P O Box 293

Lakeshore, MS 39558

Lakeshore Baptist Church Street address:

6028 Lakeshore Road

Bay St. Louis, MS 39520 (west of Bay St. Louis and Waveland)

Phone: 228-469-0110

Website: www.lakeshorebaptist.net

Pastor: Don A. Elbourne Jr.

Cell phone: 228-671-6315

email: elbourne@lakeshorebaptist.net

Housing costs – no charge, donations accepted to help defray expenses

No age restrictions.

Hancock Housing Resource Center

www.hancockhrc.org

Contact Rick Shepler, Construction Coordinator, Volunteer Coordinator

Office Phone:  228-463-8887

Wk. Cell: 228-344-8129

Cell: 228-365-5588

rsheplersr@gmail.com

rshepler@hancockhrc.org

Nashville, Tennessee – Between 10 and 15 inches of rain fell May 1-2, 2010 causing significant flooding in some areas.  Volunteers are needed for cleanup and repairs. For more information on volunteering and volunteer housing call 615-630-8565 or send email to middletn.ldr@gmail.com.

Yazoo City, Mississippi – Seven counties were affected by an F4 tornado on April 24, 2010.  The tornado was 1.5 miles wide and traveled 149 miles.  Volunteers are needed for rebuilding.  For updates on volunteering call Suzie Harvey, Lutheran Episcopal Services in Mississippi at 228-369-0275 (c) or email Suzie at sharvey@elsm.org.

Volunteers are also needed to repair and rebuild in Yazoo City.  Contact Pastor Caleb Clark, Calvary Baptist Church, 1408 Jackson Avenue, Yazoo City.  Office phone: 662-746-3719, cell: 662-590-5647 or send email to circleof12@yahoo.com.

New England – March storms have caused wide-spread flooding in New England, affecting thousands.  For more information and to volunteer call 1-866-537-1379, toll free or contact Christopher Thatcher, Lutheran Disaster Response Coordinator for New England. Direct phone: 978-729-2704, office 781-997-0810.  You can also go to www.lssne.org  and contact Chris by email.

Cedar Rapids, Iowa – Flood related needs still exist in Cedar Rapids. Corridor Recovery is your connection to local organizations which recruit and manage volunteers. Individuals who would like to volunteer to help with flood recovery can sign-up online www.corridorrecovery.org/Volunteer/ or call the Volunteer Center at 319-540-4810.
Lutheran Disaster Response
Lutheran Services in Iowa
Contact Pastor Michael Stadie at 563-322-7419 or michael.stadie@LSIowa.org.

First United Methodist Church
1298 Seventh Avenue
Marion, Iowa 52302
Call 319-377-4856
www.fumcmarion.org and click on “Service & Missions”

Georgia – Seventeen counties were affected by flooding including Cobb County near Atlanta, and three counties in Northwest Georgia – Catoosa, Walker and Chattooga Counties. 3800 families impacted. For more information or to volunteer contact Hal Shope 404-680-6860.

Western New York – Several hundred homes were affected as a result of August 2009 flooding in Erie, Cattaragus, and Chautaqua Counties in Western New York. Volunteer rebuilding teams are requested.  Some assistance with lodging and meals is available.  Contact:  Volunteer/Construction Coordinator Tom Gould at 716-725-4219 or gofarm6@yahoo.com.

West Virginia – To assist in flood recovery contact Sherri Schafer, Executive Director of Community Lutheran Partners at 304-312-4222 or sherri@clp-online.org.  There is a cost of $25 per person to cover liability insurance for each volunteer. Go to clp-online.org and click on “volunteer” for detailed volunteer opportunities.

We are excited to share with you the Lutheran Disaster Response 2009 Annual Report.  We have once again done a Web-based "eReport."  The benefits of an eReport are plenty -- a fraction of the cost once needed for printing and shipping, as well as the environmentally-friendly saving of paper.  More importantly, the report is more interactive, filled with links, videos, great pictures, and downloadable resources.

A few highlights from this year's report:

• The response to spring flooding in North Dakota and Minnesota
• Flood response in Georgia and Upstate New York
• Ongoing work on the U.S. Gulf Coast
• Becoming the ReadyChurch

To check out the report, go to www.ldr.org/2009report.

Another benefit of a Web-based report is how easy it is to share.  Once you've taken a look at the report, forward the link to your family and friends, other members of your congregation, and your neighbors.  Help us spread the good news of this important ministry!

Read the 2009 Annual Report today at www.ldr.org/2009report.

In service,
Rev. Kevin A. Massey
Director
Lutheran Disaster Response
Bringing Help and Hope...
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