Disaster Resource Links

The ministry of LCMS that focuses on health and human care issues, including disaster response; Web includes information and links.

LCMS sub page devoted to disaster response; Web includes information and links.

An organization of the ELCA that focuses on working with the Lutheran Church at large to assist with disaster recovery throughout the USA.  Web provides many resources for churchesand individuals who want to work with disaster                                         response and recovery.

Lutheran Servcices in America is an alliance of LCMS and ELCA and their related social ministry organizations; includes over 300 health and service organizations serving over 6 million clients per year.

Headquartered in Addison, Ill, LCC is a ministry founded in 1947 to help support Christian human care ministries of the Church.  LCC connects needs with resources, working with congregations to help Christians make a difference in people’s lives and in God’s Kingdom. 

Developed by Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, Camp Noah is a week long, faith-based day camp offered for elementary-age children who have experienced a disaster staffed by trained counselors, mental health professionals and volunteers. Camp Noah combines recovery support for children with fun filled recreation to form a unique and healing experience.  Congregations can provide volunteer teams that provide volunteers to work directly with children, financial support to cover costs, or in-kind contributions of arts and crafts supplies.  

This is a Church World Service (CWS) information and resources web site for persons interested in the ministry of the religious community in disaster mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery.  Provides many resources, including “Emergency & Recovery Plan for the Religious Community,” a model plan for preparing to respond to building and property losses caused by disasters.

International Lutheran Hour ministry/relief organization founded in 1992 after needs for spiritual and humanitarian aid were witnessed in the former Soviet Union.  OGT has sent over 20,000,000 pounds of supplies worldwide, including to disaster sites.  Headquarters in Nebraska but has 18 locations throughout the USA. Web site notes ongoing needs and projects.  Many opportunities for congregations and organizations to be involved.

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is a faith-based membership organization called to improve the quality of life of its members, their families and their communities as it cares for others. Thrivent  is working with Habitat for humanity to build homes in areas that have been affected by disasters.  This web site provide the information you need to learn how you can volunteer.

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans

While Thrivent is not a disaster response organization, as a membership organization with members who want to reach out to those in need when tragedy strikes, support for locations affected by major disasters is often inititated. For more localized disasters (house fire, family in need, limited impact disaster), approaching the local Chapter Board can often be a resource to help those affected through Thrivent's Care in Communities program.

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans

One thing that makes Thrivent Financial for Lutherans unique is our chapters. As a fraternal benefit society, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans operates through nearly 1,400 local groups of members called chapters. The chapter system is a way for members to help through volunteering, educational events and social activities.

With origins in social ministry efforts dating back to 1883, Lutheran Social Services responds when people are vulnerable because of homelessness, mental illness, drug addiction or disaster. LSSNC provides support services and compassionate guidance. Their programs serve more than 2,575 clients in Sacramento, San Francisco, and Contra Costa and San Joaquin Counties, providing hope, housing, and compassionate support.

Tri-LERT provides basic disaster preparation resources for individuals, families. and congregations so they can take helpful steps in doing the best job possible to be ready for a broad range of disasters from individual to communal, from natural to man-made. The Tri-LERT (Tri Lutheran Emergency Response Team) service area  encompasses all of Nevada except Las Vegas, California north of Bakersfield, and Hawaii. It is the ministry area served by a convergence of the respective operations of the CNH District of the LC-MS, the Sierra Pacific Synod of the ELCA, and LSS-NorCal. 

Practical Information on Crisis Planning

 Excellent U.S. Dept. of Education resource for all schools as they develop their emergency preparedness and response plans. Can be downloaded or will send a copy on                                               request.