OPPORTUNITY FOR MINISTRY
EMERGENCY RELIEF & DISASTER RESPONSE -
Hurricane Katrina, U.S. Gulf Coast

Hope Shall Bloom – United Church of Christ Hurricane Recovery
National UCC Update - September 19, 2005

The United Church of Christ is responding to the destruction and human suffering caused by Hurricane Katrina and the flooding that followed. UCC leaders announced Sept. 6, 2005 the goal of raising $3 million from members and congregations to support long-term hurricane relief, recovery and rehabilitation phases of this disaster. A 5-10 year response is projected based on past experience and the magnitude of this catastrophe.

The major role of the church in this disaster, as in all disasters, is long-term recovery. The UCC has trained Disaster Network Coordinators and Church World Service (CWS) staff who will work with devastated communities to organize and plan for identifying and meeting the "un-met" needs of their communities – to catch the folks who might otherwise fall through the cracks. The UCC promises to walk with disastered communities on the long, long road to restoration.

100% of your gift made to the Hope Shall Bloom – UCC Hurricane Recovery Fund goes to support hurricane recovery programming. This is possible because church member’s gifts to Our Church’s Wider Mission basic support provide for the infrastructure necessary to make the UCC disaster response possible.

Relief Phase - August 29 – September 30, 2005 (projected) Funds Disbursed thru 9/19/05

• $25,000 Church World Service, to support distribution of blankets, health kits, and deployment of Disaster Response and Recovery Liaisons
• $15,000 UCC South Central Conference to meet emergency needs; provide grants to UCC clergy families who have been displaced and lost homes & income sources
• $60,000 Community of Faith Church of Houston (UCC/Disciple) – Amistad Resettlement Project, to assist in paying resettlement cost (two months housing; food and clothing allowance for 78 evacuated families who have been identified to participate in long-term resettlement project
• $15,000 UCC Southeast Conference to meet emergency needs; feeding evacuees in Atlanta through the Hosea Williams Feeding Program (at the request of Ambassador Andrew Young)
• $20,000 UCC Back Bay Mission, Biloxi, Mississippi to re-establish mission site for emergency relief and long-term recovery and rebuilding
• $5,000 Purchase of two Iridium satellite phones and service for use by Back Bay Mission staff as long as normal land-line and cell phone communications are disrupted
• $5,000 UCC related Dillard University, New Orleans to repair damage to campus
• $10,000 UCC National Disaster Ministries and Church World Service for research, production and dissemination of environmental hazards/protection information related to Hurricane Katrina
• $(amount pending) UCC South Central Conference, Good Shepherd UCC, Metairie, Louisiana to prepare church building to serve as site for evacuee/returnee housing/hospitality and long-term mission trip base camp

Recovery Phase - October 1 – December 31, 20005 (projected funding)

• $100,000 Church World Service – Relocation Program for Displaced Americans, relocation of 165 families in various sites across U.S.
• $100,000 Church World Service - Spiritual Care for Caregivers
• $90,000 Support for recovery efforts of nine UCC congregations in New Orleans Association

Rehabilitation Phase - January 1, 2006 – ? (projected funding)

• $500,000 UCC Back Bay Mission/UCC National Disaster & Volunteer Ministries – Home reconstruction program
• $500,000 Church World Service – Home reconstruction program

The projects and funding amounts listed above are projections. This is a very fluid situation and we anticipate many opportunities to serve our sisters and brothers in need.

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HURRICANE KATRINA: CONTRIBUTE ONLINE
(This takes you to the UCC's secure online donation page. If you are a member of a UCC congregation, please be sure to fill in the name and location of your church.)

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this page last updated on Wednesday, September 21, 2005