Current Disaster Response

Update: Hurricane Michael Response

The Alabama-West Florida Conference is now opening its response effort to badged/credentialed ERTs from outside its Conference. Please contact the NYAC Missions office for more information (tvencuss@nyac.com).
 
Note from the A/WF Disaster Response Coordinator: groceries, fuel, water, and power are now widely available in the impacted areas, but not everywhere. In addition, several churches and Conference facilities received significant damage. Therefore, all ERT teams must plan on being self-sufficient. This self-sufficiency requirement extends to sleeping arrangements. We are not able to even offer a place to “throw down a few air mattresses.” Shower facilities are not guaranteed at this time. Hotels in the area are extremely difficult to find.
 

NYAC Global Ministries and Disaster Response Opportunities 

Older Teen – Young Adult Disaster Recovery Team: February 16 to 23, 2019
Ross Porter (Mt Kisco) and Tom Vencuss will lead a youth/young adult recovery team to the Carolinas or  Florida, depending upon local needs and direction of Disaster Response Conference leadership. 
Cost: $400.
Age requirements: 16 and older
Several team meetings, including skill sessions, will be required.
Contact Tom Vencuss (tvencuss@nyac.com) at the NYAC Mission office for more information.
 
NYAC Teams in Disaster Response - the following teams are scheduled in the upcoming months.
Note: all teams are now filled.
Puerto Rico:  January - young adult team
   Team Leader: Bill Pfohl (Jesse Lee UMC)
Puerto Rico: January - CT District team
   Team Leaders: Jill Wilson (Bristol UMC) and Steve Kolitz (New Milford UMC)
 

NY/CT and Catskill/Hudson Mission Meeting: Puerto Rico   
Central Valley UMC is holding a meeting around mission and disaster response opportunities on Tuesday, December 11, at 7 PM. Part of the conversation will be centered on the development of a Hurricane Maria recovery team to Puerto Rico from the NY/CT and Catskill/Hudson districts for Spring 2019. Tom Vencuss has been invited to lead this conversation. All are welcome to attend. For more information or to sign up to attend please contact Pastor Wendy Paige (paige.wendy@gmail.com).  
 
Team Leaders Needed
One key to an effective disaster response effort is quality and experienced leadership. There is a great deal of organization and responsibility that goes into leading and coordinating both a disaster response and mission team. We will continue to try to provide opportunities for Leadership Training. We will also be willing to assist qualified and experienced Team Leaders with finances if needed. The NYAC has had a long and strong history of responding to both emergency and long-term needs both domestically and internationally. It is our hope and intent to continue that support. For more information contact Tom Vencuss at the NYAC Missions office (tvencuss@nyac.com).
 
Early Response Team Training
To schedule or sponsor an Early Response Team (ERT) training event at your local church or within your district please contact Art Mellor (art12561@gmail.com).
 
Disaster Response “Assets Coordinator” Wanted
The Missions office is looking for someone to serve in the capacity as “Assets Coordinator” for its disaster response ministry. The role of the Coordinator will be to serve as a link between the Missions office and our Disaster Response HUBs, a link to those churches currently housing and managing disaster response trailers, coordinator for disaster response collections (clean up buckets, health kits, school kits). This is a volunteer position. 

Disaster Response