Ways to Love the Victims of Disaster in Austin

Austin Disaster Relief Network

(512) 825-8211 | www.adrntx.org

To serve Christ by establishing a network that will meet the emotional, physical and spiritual needs of those affected by disaster.  There are many different ways you can help in times of a disaster, whether local or outside of Austin.  Transportation, construction, childcare, shelter worker, resource and supplies, etc.

MORE information below....

 


Disaster Relief Network Forming

Remember last year when Hurricane Ike hit the Texas coast and many of you tried to help the disaster victims by providing resources or helping at evacuee shelters but everything seemed very disorganized and chaotic?  Many of you tried to help and were turned away.  Some shelters were inundated with resources while others had several hundred people sleeping on gym floors with no supplies at all.  Hundreds of Christians were eager to serve but were not allowed to because they didn’t meet the Red Cross requirements.

We want to be prepared next time.  God may stir your heart to serve victims of disasters, and if you have been trained and cleared, you’ll be able to jump right in and help as soon as the need arises.   Hope in the City is partnering with Austin Disaster Relief Network (ADRN) to help build a network in greater Austin that will organize, mobilize and connect the Body of Christ quickly in order to meet the emotional, spiritual and physical needs of those affected by disaster.  Our goal is to help those who have a heart to serve get trained, prepared, and cleared ahead of time and to have an infrastructure in place so that we’re able to launch our relief work right away.  ADRN has been working closely with the City of Austin and the Red Cross to work out a plan and structure for providing disaster relief.  The City of Austin has invited ADRN participants to help manage and staff the 88 public shelters within the City.  ADRN will even have a seat at the emergency command center.

There are numerous ways you can serve in times of disaster (see the list below).  Some of these require training and background clearance; others do not.  The Red Cross has specific requirements for anyone working in a shelter, and we want to honor them and the City by allowing them to train us and cooperating with their requirements.  They have invited us to participate with them, but we need to be trained and prepared . . . Ahead of time.

We are conducting a volunteer drive this Sunday, June 28 and July 12.  If you are interested in getting trained to work in disaster relief, stop by the table in the foyer.  You can also sign up by emailing Melanie at melanied@hopeinthecity.org

Examples of Volunteer Opportunities with ADRN (detailed descriptions are available at the volunteer table or by emailing Melanie):

Co-Disaster Relief Coordinator (DRC)
Shelter Manager
Shelter Staff
Neighborhood Watch Disaster Relief Coordinator
Red Cross Shelter Nurse
Pet Shelter Coordinator
Volunteer Resource Coordinator
Shelter Opening Teams
Call Center Volunteer
Transportation Volunteer
Food Preparation
Construction
Provide Financial Support

 

For more information on the Austin Disaster Relief Network, visit www.adrntx.org.