January 11, 2007
Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,
As this New Year begins, we give thanks for a relatively quiet 2006. After two years of hurricanes that broke records and made headlines, it was good to have a less frantic year to focus on rebuilding and preparing. We lift up in prayer those who were affected by disasters in 2006, from flooding in Pennsylvania and Texas to an earthquake in Hawaii. We also pray for those beginning this year with severe weather, especially our sisters and brothers in Colorado and Nebraska. Without knowing what new challenges it may bring, we are excited for our continued ministry in 2007.
“What a Relief!”
Planning is underway for the second installment of “What a Relief!” - our alternative spring break effort. Last year, nearly 1,100 students from 54 different colleges and universities spent their spring break repairing homes along the Gulf Coast. Nearly 1,000 students have signed up to work this year, and final preparations are being made for their trips.
Volunteer assistance is still needed as this multi-year response continues. As the recovery along the Gulf Coast continues, a greater need for skilled volunteers has arisen. Anyone interested in putting together a volunteer work crew can find information on the LDR Web site at www.ldr.org/volunteer.
Katrina Aid Today
In late 2005, Lutheran Disaster Response was selected as one of nine partner agencies in the Katrina Aid Today case management consortium. We were the first consortium member to reach 100% of our hiring and implementation goals. As a demonstration of our commitment to provide case management services that are culturally-appropriate for our clients, 80% of our case managers nationwide are persons of color. To date, we have reached 42% of our target case load goals. At this stage of the project, this percentage puts us ahead of our anticipated progress, and our work plan projects that we will reach our target prior to the end of the project, which is at least through October 2007. Our office in Bayou La Batre, Alabama has already reached 100% of their target case load - the only Katrina Aid Today office to have done so. While we are excited by our success, we realize that much work remains as those who were displaced by Hurricane Katrina continue on their journey to recovery.
Intentional Self Care
The beginning of a new year is always a time of hopefulness. We celebrate what has come before, and we look expectantly to the coming year. For those of us who dedicate ourselves to the work of disaster response, the coming of a new year is inevitably accompanied by thoughts of how a new year may bring a new disaster. And even as we pray for continued quiet and calm, we are ever aware that a new challenge may arise.
An interesting irony is that the single most important preparedness activity we can do before a disaster happens is to live healthy, well-balanced lives right now. Intentional self-care is never a matter of selfishness, but rather an investment in our health and wellness so that we can be prepared to work the tireless hours demanded of us when disaster strikes.
If you haven't made a New Year's resolution yet, consider making one that concentrates on taking good care of yourself this year. You are all such valuable partners in the ministry of disaster response. Let us be healthy, whole, and strong in the year ahead, to continue to serve in responding to disasters past and to be ready for any disaster to come.
Preparing for the Future
In 2007, we have named disaster preparedness as a top priority. We encourage continued preparedness by Lutheran congregations and social ministry organizations. Our affiliate agencies continue to be an active part of preparedness in their communities as they encourage congregations and even individual families to prepare themselves. As part of this priority, we will be re-designing many of our existing materials on congregational preparedness to make the more user-friendly and appealing.
Prayer of the Day
The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. - Luke 1:49
Generous God, you give us more than we need and much more than we deserve. Help us to be good stewards of your physical and spiritual blessings by caring for our neighbors and sharing our resources with others. Amen.
In service,
Lutheran Disaster Response staff team
Heather Feltman, Executive Director
Kevin Massey, Assistant Director
Michael Nevergall, Program Interpretation
Lutheran Disaster Response
Bringing Help and Hope...
Phone: 773-380-2748
Fax: 773-380-2493
Visit us on the Web at www.ldr.org
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