Exclusive Grants for National VOAD Members: Lowe’s & UPS Recovery Support
The Lowe’s Reconstruction Grant Program is made possible through a generous donation from Lowe’s and is designed for reconstruction material supplies and ongoing response projects across the U.S. & territories.
AWARD AMOUNT Award amounts will range from $15,000 to $25,000 in Lowe’s e-gift cards. Overhead amounts of 14% will be disbursed in cash
SUBMISSION DEADLINE Applications eligible for consideration must be submitted by September 17, 2024.
WHO SHOULD APPLY? All National VOAD members, including State/Territory VOADs and National Members (National & Associate), who are providing reconstruction services in recovery areas where Lowe’s stores are accessible. Grant awards are designated to provide material supplies needed to rebuild housing for disaster affected clients. Materials requested must be available at local Lowe’s stores.
In partnership with the UPS Foundation, National VOAD is excited to offer a funding opportunity to current National Members actively engaged in Long Term Recovery across the U.S. & territories.
AWARD AMOUNT Award amount: $5,000.
SUBMISSION DEADLINE Due to a limited amount of funds we will close the application process once a sufficient number of applications have been received.
WHO SHOULD APPLY? All National VOAD members, including State/Territory VOADs and National Members (National & Associate), actively engaged in long term recovery programming.
“I want to call out the extraordinary work of local and state leaders who made sure our state was prepared for this year’s unprecedented wildfire season,” Governor Tina Kotek said. “As firefighters worked tirelessly to contain the fires burning across the state, the Oregon Department of Emergency Management effectively mobilized shelters, evacuation support, and identified the resources each community needed.”
The Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) will observe preparedness month by launching a new community-based initiative designed to help individuals and their communities prepare for emergencies and practice their skills as a group. The Be 2 Weeks Ready Toolkit is a step-by-step guide to individual and community resiliency.
The digital version of the kit is available at Oregon.gov/OEM and is offered in English, Spanish, Russian, Chinese and Vietnamese, with American Sign Language videos coming soon.
“As director of OEM, it’s a top priority for me to help people living in Oregon be ready for disasters,” Erin McMahon, said. “The Be 2 Weeks Ready program helps foster a culture of preparedness within established community groups such as faith-based organizations, neighborhood associations, local 4-H clubs, schools, and workplaces.”
Preparing for emergencies can feel overwhelming. It’s important to remember that being two weeks ready doesn’t have to be expensive or happen all at once. There are a lot of effective and low-cost to no-cost actions your community can take today to be ready for tomorrow. You can find more details about these on FEMA’s preparedness site Ready.gov, but here are a few:
Visit ORAlert.gov to sign up to receive local emergency alerts or update your contact information
Store copies of important information or documents in a password-protected online drive or on a flash drive in a waterproof container in your go bag.
Also, look to your local leaders for additional tips on how your community is preparing. Connect with your local emergency management office, sheriff’s office, or Tribal police and follow them on social media to stay up to date during quickly changing emergencies.
When a disaster strikes, you are the help until help arrives. By working together, communities can enhance their collective resilience and ensure everyone is equipped to handle emergencies.
In addition to the Be 2 Weeks Ready Toolkit, people interested in helping their communities and deepening their basic disaster response skills can join a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and learn from peers.
There are four types of CERT programs: Community, Workplace, Campus, Teen. Each program is supported by a sponsoring organization. A sponsoring organization can be any government agency, such as a fire department, emergency management agency or city council.
In the end, OEM wants to help people feel empowered, not frightened, when thinking about how they will respond in an emergency. The Be 2 Weeks Ready Toolkit and CERT programs can help individuals build meaningful connections with one another that will lead to better outcomes for everyone when disaster strikes.
The Oregon Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) unit was asked by the Klamath County Long Term Recovery Group to build sheds for some of the families who lost their homes in the Golden Fire in 2018. Portland Mennonite Church embraced the opportunity to build one shed, consisting of nine 4’x8′ panels and ten trusses, with the participation of 23 individuals across different age groups and skill sets. Some individuals assisted with heavy lifting, while others provided snacks, encouragement, and guidance.
John Colvin is the Oregon Unit MDS chair and the lead on this project, with my assistance. Portland Mennonite Church has a strong history with MDS, with Maurice Imhoff providing leadership for MDS projects and volunteering within our congregation for many years. These sheds will provide families with a safe place to store their belongings and start rebuilding their lives. The sheds will be 8’x12′ in size. The shed components will be transported to Klamath County in August and September, where volunteers, including some from Portland Mennonite, will assemble them on-site and complete the flooring and roofing.
Welcome and Congratulations to The Center for Rural Livelihoods!
We are thrilled to welcome The Center for Rural Livelihoods (CRL) as our new partner and Coordinator of the Lane County COAD! Founded in the late 1970s, CRL has been a beacon of innovation in ecological forest stewardship, sustainable construction, and community building. Located on a 40-acre campus in Cottage Grove, CRL’s dedication to community-driven resilience makes them an ideal partner. We look forward to working together to expand COAD membership, enhance training opportunities, and strengthen overall community resilience in Lane County. Welcome, CRL!
Lane County Community Resilience Hubs Awarded $20M Grant
Lane County and Lane United Way won a $20 million grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to create 6 community resilience hubs to shelter from heat, smoke, and other active disasters. The facilities chosen to become hubs include the Senior and Activities Center in Florence, the Fern Ridge Service Center in Veneta, the Fairfield Elementary School Gym in Eugene, the Bob Keefer Center in Springfield, the Willamette Activity center in Oakridge, and the Community Center and Library in Cottage Grove. The hubs will be stocked with supplies for emergencies, offer training, equip volunteers and community members on resilience.
Funding Opportunity from the Oregon Disaster Funders Network
The Oregon Disaster Funders Network offers funding opportunities for qualifying organizations addressing disaster-related needs. This support is aimed at nonprofit service providers, including fiscally sponsored organizations, Tribes, and local jurisdictions, particularly in smaller and rural communities.
If your organization, county, tribal jurisdiction, or rural community has a disaster-related funding need, you can apply for consideration. The applications are reviewed by a panel of around 35 philanthropic funders.
During active wildfires, 211info maintains county-specific information about evacuations, emergency orders, and shelter options to help callers be prepared and stay safe. In addition, we can provide information about programs to protect animals, temporary financial assistance, disaster mental health services, public safety power shut-offs, emergency alerting systems, air quality information and alerts, and more! Calling 211 connects to a live agent 24 hours a day, and is available in over 240 languages.
To connect, call 211, text your zip code to 898211, email help@211info.org, or visit 211info.org.
Service providers can update their information or request inclusion in the 211Info Resource Directory on our Provider Tools page.
Learn About Your Wildfire Risk
Created by the USDA Forest Service and designed to help community leaders, the Wildfire Risk to Communities website is free and easy to use, with interactive maps, charts, and resources to help communities understand, explore, and reduce wildfire risk. It uses the best available science to identify risk and provides management and mitigation resources for communities.
August 1st, 11:00 AM: The Natural Hazards Center will host a Public Health Disaster Research Award Webinar on public health preparedness and response. This webinar will showcase the 10 research teams that received awards to support Community-Based Research on Public Health and Equity and to extend previously funded work from this program. Presenters will describe their findings and novel program interventions. A detailed schedule highlighting the speakers and the research to be presented can be found on the webinar page. Please register using this form.
August 3rd, 11 AM: Emergency Preparedness Fair in Cottage Grove: Last year, the Emergency Preparedness Fair had 18 organizations set up booths and approximately 2,000 individuals attended. To reserve a spot or learn more, please contact Leni Crow.
August 8th, 10:30 AM: Lane County COAD General Meeting. United Way, 3171 Gateway Loop, Springfield, OR. Contact us for a zoom link to attend virtually.
August 8th, 2:30 PM: Lane County Severe Weather Collaborative. Contact Maria Cortez for a virtual invitation.
August 10th, 8:30 AM – 5PM: Mass Care Shelter Training with Red Cross featuring class time and hands-on shelter simulation with real world scenarios to work through. Participants will leave certified as a Red Cross Mass Care Shelter Service Associate and can aid in any Red Cross Shelter. This event is free, email Micah to register.
August 14th, 8 AM -12:30 PM: Be 2 Weeks Ready Program Coordinator training. Register here.
August 15th, 11:00 AM:Third Thursday Tips: Utility Safety. Throughout 2024, the FEMA Region 10 Individual and Community Preparedness Team will partner with the Region 10 States (Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington) to cover the monthly themes that can help people ‘Prepare in a Year.’
August 21st, 11:00 AM: Avoid Disaster Scams. In partnership with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for a webinar on how to avoid scams post disaster.
August 23rd, 2024, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM: Maintaining Wellbeing During Emergency Activations: Join Heather Sielicki from 211info for an interactive session adapted from Hummingly to help you and your team maintain wellbeing during a disaster. Participants will receive a copy of the course to
Aug 27th, 6 – 7:30 PM: Cost $10, Fire Risk Reduction to Your Home in the Woods: Give your home and property the very best chance against wildfire. Session focuses on the home itself, and landscaping strategies within the first 200 feet since these areas have the greatest impact in protecting your home from a wildfire.
August 28th, 11:00 AM: Self care for Disaster Responders. This webinar will focus on the critical intersection of heat vulnerability and climate change in FEMA Region 2, focusing on lessons learned from New York City. They will explore the different factors that impact heat vulnerability, especially for people with disability, access, and functional needs, as well as individual and policy strategies to mitigate the effects of extreme heat.
in collaboration with PCUN’s 2024 Wildfire Rapid Response Campaign
“Solidarity is the recognition of our inherent interconnectedness, an attempt to build bonds of commonality across our differences. It is an ethos and spur to action rooted in the acknowledgement that our lives are intertwined … It is not unity or sameness, but a way of connecting with others: forging new communities, developing shared visions, and building power to push for social change.”
— From “Solidarity” by Leah Hunt-Hendrix & Astra Taylor
OVERVIEW
The Oregon Synod’s Disaster & Climate Resilience team is organizing a Solidarity Summer in collaboration with PCUN (Oregon’s farmworker union), as part of PCUN’s 2024 Wildfire Preparedness & Rapid Response Campaign.
People of faith and courageous love (and the groups and congregations we’re connected to) will build community resilience alongside our farmworker neighbors, in the face of climate disruptions, extreme weather events, and increasing wildfires.
Throughout the summer, we’ll learn from one another about how climate change is impacting our diverse communities – and how we can be more resilient together. We’ll march and advocate for workers’ rights and safety. And we’ll deepen our connections with one another and Mother Earth. We’ll collect and pack items for emergency go-bags to be distributed to 500 farmworker and Latine families at a series of multilingual and culturally-responsive wildfire preparedness workshops offered by PCUN organizers throughout July and August. We’ll explore what it means to build relationships of solidarity across difference. And we’ll lay the groundwork for future collaboration, advocacy, and organizing together to advance climate justice and resilience!
Watch this video to learn more about PCUN’s Wildfire Preparedness and Rapid Response Campaign! (4 minutes, in Spanish with English subtitles)
JULY 18th CONVIVIO & OTHER OPPORTUNITIES FOR CONNECTION
On Thursday, July 18th from 1:00 – 4:00, we’ll gather at PCUN’s headquarters in Woodburn, Oregon for a special convivio outdoors, surrounded by the beauty of PCUN’s communal garden.
At this event, we’ll have the opportunity to meet PCUN’s team of six seasonal organizers, as well as the two lead organizers of the campaign. Together, we will not only create the emergency backpacks to be distributed in the campaign, but also take a moment to acknowledge the land we stand on and express gratitude to our ancestors and Mother Earth. We will share blessings to guide all of us in our endeavor to build more resilient communities, and especially the organizers’ efforts to bring education and awareness to the farmworker and Latinx community.
We’re also organizing additional opportunities to bring our communities together throughout the summer:
May 1st – May Day / International Workers’ Day March and Rally in Salem
June 23rd – PCUN’s annual Cumbre de Trabajadores in Woodburn
July 18th (1-4:00pm) – Convivio & Emergency backpack prep (flyers in English & Spanish)
Our goal is to collect 500 of each of the items listed in this spreadsheet by August 1st. Items should be similar to (but don’t have to be the exact make/model) as those in the spreadsheet. You can help us meet our goal in the following ways:
Purchase items from the list and drop them off at one of the sites listed below.
Purchase items online, and have them shipped directly to: Elizabeth Chavez, 1445 Marcel Ct., Woodburn, OR 97071. Please email sarahl@oregonsynod.org with details so she and Elizabeth can make sure to expect your delivery and update the spreadsheet.
Make a cash donation, which we will use to purchase supplies on your behalf. Donate online here and make sure to note in the text field: “PCUN Solidarity”, or write a check to: “Oregon Synod” and mail to: 2800 N Vancouver Ave. Suite 101, Portland, OR 97227, with “PCUN Solidarity” in the memo line.
DROP-OFF SITES
Currently we are accepting supplies at the following locations. If your community is interested in serving as a supply drop-off site, please email sarahl@oregonsynod.org.
Oregon Synod Office: 2800 N Vancouver Ave # 101, Portland, OR 97227
Generally open from Tuesdays – Fridays from 9:00 – 4:00pm, but please call ahead (Sarah, 503-367-0157) to arrange a drop-off time so we can make sure someone on staff will be there to welcome you.
Christ Lutheran Church: 15029 2nd St NE, Aurora, OR 97002 Please call ahead to arrange a drop-off: 503-678-5135.
JOIN US!
Individuals, teams, and congregations are welcome to join and participate as you’re able for any or all components of Solidarity Summer! SIGN UP HERE to stay in the loop and let us know how you would like to be involved!
Have questions? Contact Sarah Loose (Director of Disaster & Climate Resilience for the Oregon Synod, 503-367-0157, sarahl@oregonsynod.org) or Janelly Carranza (Organizer with Together Lab, janelly@togetherlab.org) for more information.
SPREAD THE WORD!
Share this info page and invite your friends, family and community members to join us throughout the summer and collect supplies, too!
Calling 211 is the fastest way to find local clean air spaces and cooling centers. We provide swift connections to essential resources, support services, and up-to-date local information. Our specially trained teams are available 24/7, 365 days a year, ensuring our database is timely and accurate and that a live person helps each caller. Interpreter services are available in over 240 languages. Anyone can get help anytime by calling 211.
How Calling 211 Can Help During Extreme Heat & Wildfires
As a nonprofit contact center, 211info can serve as the “front desk” for agencies to help relay important information like shelter and center locations, hours, and availability during emergencies. We can also help coordinate transportation using available local options, as directed by local agencies.
Our trained specialists are available 24/7, are familiar with local resources, and have access to interpretation services in over 240 languages. Anyone can get help anytime by calling 211.
DURING DISASTER OR EMERGENCY During declared emergencies, 211info partners with the Oregon Office of Resilience and Emergency Management to coordinate additional services as they become available. These may include assistance in coordinating transportation to shelters, facilitating data collection, and sharing donation and volunteer opportunities with the public.
BEFORE & AFTER DISASTER OR EMERGENCY In addition to helping callers who need immediate assistance, 211info guides individuals and communities on what to do before and after disasters.
211info can help callers navigate preventive resources from City, County, State, Tribal Offices of Emergency Services, and Federal Emergency Management Agency Offices to plan and prepare for emergencies, and also text or email links to critical advisories and warnings.
After the danger has passed, 211info connects individuals and communities to resources that help them recover from the physical, financial, and emotional impacts of disasters and emergencies. Our database includes vetted and accurate disaster recovery programs, including resources for food replacement, disaster clean up, and more to help people return to normal after an event.
Some resources address immediate needs, while others are designed to prepare people for heat or smoke emergencies in advance. Planning and preparedness resources are not quick fixes for emergencies as they occur but are intended to help prevent the dangers of extreme temperatures and poor air quality before they arise.
Extreme heat and smoke information and resources in our database may include:
Cooling centers and clean air centers
Splash pads, misting stations, and swimming facilities
HAVE YOU BEEN AFFECTED BY THE 2024 OREGON WILDFIRES? The Oregon Department of Human Services, Office of Resiliency and Emergency Management, has launched a new self-referral platform to help community members meet their disaster-recovery needs. Timelines for service are not immediate and are not a substitute for people in immediate danger or those who need to evacuate. There are two ways to access wildfire recovery help:
Act Now: 4 Easy Ways to Plan & Prepare for Emergencies
1. Sign Up for Emergency Alerts: It takes 2 minutes to register for Oregon Statewide Emergency Alerts. Each county has its own system, and this site helps you sign up for the right alerts. Remember to register for alerts where you live and work. Find your local alert system at: https://oralert.gov/. If you’re in Washington State, sign up for local alerts here.
4. Access Local Resources: To find information on programs, services, and other resources related to extreme heat, smoke, or wildfire that may be available in your area: CALL 211 (can also text zip code to 898211, or email help@211info.org).
For Service Providers
Are you a service provider who offers cooling resources, clean air space, or other emergency-related resources? If so, please make sure your information is up to date in our database. Visit our Provider Tools page to get started, or contact our Resource Department at support@211info.org.
The Oregon Volunteers in Disaster platform was created by the OregonServes State Service Commission to be used for the management of spontaneous volunteers related to disaster response and recovery opportunities and events. The platform is provided free of charge to increase accessibility for communities and volunteers alike.
Step 2: Await Confirmation Once we receive your form, our team will review your request promptly. We aim to process all applications swiftly to get your account up and running as soon as possible.
Step 3: Account Activation Once your account setup is approved, the main Program Manager listed in your request form will receive an email with further instructions on how to get started.
Volunteer Injury Coverage Toolkit – For state agencies, boards and commissions to help select the coverage they wish to provide injured volunteers who are working under their direction and control.
