Guiding, informing, and responding in times of disaster.
We live in a tumultuous time, full of natural and human disasters. God calls us to care for our brothers and sisters, but good intentions aren’t enough. The Disaster Preparedness and Response Ministry Team (DPRMT) exists to establish and coordinate disaster preparation and relief efforts within and beyond the conference borders. We go beyond sending thoughts, prayers, and worn-out clothing and look for the most effective ways to give, from our dollars to our time.
DPRMT concentrates on four areas:
1. Preparedness – We want to do more than just respond after disaster hits. DPRMT produces materials to assist congregations and families in preparing for emergencies, such as the Emergency Management Flip Chart. We also encourage congregations to collect contact information so they can assist their members at the time of a disaster.
2. Relief Coordination – We don’t try to swoop in and save the day because we know we don’t have all the solutions. Instead, we communicate and collaborate with other volunteer and governmental agencies so that we do not become part of the “second disaster” with unusable donations or unskilled volunteers.
3. Material Collection – We coordinate collection and delivery of food, clothing, rebuilding supplies and other materials needed for disaster recovery. We also raise funds as needed for disaster recovery.
4. Recovery Work – We train volunteers and host disaster recovery work camps throughout the geographical boundaries of the conference.
DPRMT meets 2-3 times a year at the conference office in Indianapolis and several other times through conference calls. For more information about getting involved, please contact Contact the IKC office, attention Rev. Greg Denk, IKC Disaster Coordinator.
If you’d like to help our efforts, but cannot volunteer, consider making a donation to the IKC DPRMT. Where it says “Add special instructions to the seller,” please type in “DPRMT” so we can be sure your donation gets to the right people.
Donate to through PayPal
Western Kentucky Response – Dec. 10/11, 2021 Tornadoes! We are continuing to respond to the tornado affected areas in western Kentucky. We expect to be there a minimum of four more years. Please consider joining a work team to restore homes in these communities.
Eastern Kentucky Response – July 27, 2022 Floods! We are beginning to schedule work camps in eastern Kentucky to respond to the flood affected areas in eastern Kentucky. Please consider joining a work team to restore homes in these communities throughout 2023.
Join the IKC Disaster Preparedness and Response Ministry Team (DPRMT) who is planning work camps to Kentucky throughout 2023. If you or your group have a preferred week going forward, we can set that up for you. Please let us know at least 6 weeks ahead to allow time for registration and the scheduling of volunteer housing. We typically arrive Sunday evening for an orientation meeting and depart for home on Saturday morning after cleaning the dorms, kitchen, and social gather space.
Below are the details of registration and important documents. Anyone is welcome to volunteer, but please note that we are seeking at least a few volunteers with construction experience who would help direct the volunteers.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE AND REQUIREMENTS
The registration deadline is 3 weeks prior to the starting date. All volunteers will need to have completed a background check within the past 5 years.
For more information, click to contact Rev. Greg Denk, Disaster Coordinator, IKC DPRMT, by email.
REGISTRATION FORMS:
The registration form asks the volunteers to read the following document:
Background Check Procedure
If you have not had a background check conducted in the past five years and you would like to volunteer for a work camp in 2023, please email the IKC office, to receive an invitation to the Praesidium log-in page to complete your background check. When you log in you will be asked to pay a $12.00 background check fee using your personal credit card. Once you have been approved by Praesidium, the IKC office will be advised, who will in turn advise the DPRMT that you have been vetted.
We are more than just clean-up and support during disasters. The DPRMT helps churches and individuals to be prepared to prevent disaster.
Here are some resources for churches:
We are happy to resource churches with information about preparing and dropping off Church World Service (CWS) Emergency Clean-Up Buckets. Here’s what you need to know. The link below will take you to the CWS site with details about bucket contents and preparation.
Need help buying supplies? The Global H.O.P.E Disaster Ministry is once again offering up to a $250.00 matching grant to UCC congregations to supplement their efforts in assembling these buckets. Click here to apply for the grant.
CWS Service Center Annex, 28606 Phillips St., Elkhart, IN 46514. Drop-off dates and times: Year-Round, M-F, By Appointment Only
28606 Phillips St., Elkhart, IN 46514
800-297-1516
Contact: Donna Kruis
dkruis@cwsglobal.org
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