Making Space to Care6/3/2025
Psychological First Aid helps provide mental and emotional stability and connects individuals with vital resources and a network of support. A good way to remember the steps in PFA is through the acronym ASSIST: A - Approach: approach with calm and kindness. Provide clear communication on who you are. First impressions matter - this is the opportunity to create a safe space. S - Stabilize: Stabilize with presence and care that will let the survivor trust your care and provide them with a much needed sense of safety and comfort. S - Serve: Serve with radical hospitality just as Jesus taught - serving the basic needs in the moment whatever those needs may be. I - Inform: Inform with clarity and transparency as information is known, being careful not to make false promises. S - Support: Support the person’s story in that moment, and be an advocate. T - Turn: Turn to networks of support to provide the help needed. Spiritual First Aid provides spiritual and emotional care in times of distress. Spiritual grounding techniques and simple presence provide a rich support for someone in distress. Used together, PFA and SFA are excellent tools to help individuals find a sense of hope and connection. For further reading: - Wolfelt, Alan. Healing Your Grief When Disaster Strikes: 100 Practical Ideas for Coping After a Tornado, Hurricane, Flood, Earthquake, Wildfire, or Other Natural Disaster - Healing the Healers - video resources and blog MAKING SPACE TO CARE Following the wildfires in Southern California at the beginning of this year, multiple resource hubs were set up to help provide resources for individuals affected by the fires. The need was so great that people showed up the night before to camp out for a place in line; before the doors opened, the lines stretched miles around the building. People who had lost everything overnight and who were in search of help waited hours in these lines. Thankfully, an entire team of people and organizations showed up to support. A hospitality team walked along the long lines offering food and water; mascots, balloon artists, face painters, and chaplains were also there. The lines didn't get shorter and the feelings of devastation didn't dissipate, but in that space people shared their stories with one another, warm food relieved hunger, restless children were entertained, and smiles brought some relief to the angst. Chaplains provided much needed respite by providing chairs for people to sit on or even holding a place in line.  Rev. Jonathan Hall, Senior Pastor of First Christian Church of North Hollywood served at one of these hubs as a chaplain. He shares about his experience: “When I volunteered as an emotional and spiritual care volunteer during the LA Fires, I was reminded of the basic needs of what it takes to live. One of the best things that I was able to do was hold a space in line for someone with a dedicated sign. This gift allowed someone to use the restroom, get some fresh air, or cry away from the curious eyes of their children. It allowed me to be with other people as they stood in line. It also made me think of the other ways that God is inviting me to hold a space for someone's most basic needs.” LEARN & SERVE VOLUNTEERING If you are attending General Assembly this year or will be in the Memphis area, come join Week of Compassion as we frame a house for a family affected by the December 2021 tornado outbreak. If friends or family in the area would like to take part, please share our email so they can sign up even if they are not attending GA. Friday, July 11 - GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE BUILD PRE-EVENT at The BLVD - Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) 70 N Bellevue Blvd, Memphis, TN 38104 The home will be donated to a long-term recovery organization in western Kentucky. YOU CAN HELP: Email us to sign up! + Lumber Prep – 8:00am - 10:00am qualifications: using a tape measure + Volunteer Group Leaders – 10:00am - 4:00pm qualifications: must be over the age of 18 and have ability to read instructions + Build Volunteer – 10:00am - 4:00pm qualifications: Anyone age 5 and above is welcome to participate! This will be an active build site with tools and nails so please wear appropriate clothing, closed toe shoes, and ear plugs if sensitive to loud noises. Parents of young children, please use best judgement. + + + + + Two opportunities for VIRTUAL VOLUNTEERS + In light of the severe thunderstorms and tornadoes that moved across the Midwest and Ohio Valley over Memorial Day weekend, there is a need for virtual volunteers to be part of the Crisis Cleanup teams staffing a remote call center, connecting survivors to cleanup assistance. If you or someone you know can help take some calls, please let us know by reaching out or signing up for shift(s) through our volunteer site. + As long-term recovery efforts for the 2025 Los Angeles Fires get underway, there is a need for phone volunteers to help with outreach calls to better understand survivor unmet needs. Training is provided. If you are interested in volunteering, please email us. TRAINING
Week of Compassion will be hosting a DISASTER SITE LEADER TRAINING this fall. This training is two-fold: + Virtual training is scheduled for October 14-15 from 2-5pm ET. + In-person training is tentatively scheduled for November 12-15. (Alternative options for in-person training available upon request). Disaster Site Leaders coordinate with local partners and volunteer groups at disaster recovery sites. Disaster Rebuild Leaders help guide teams in home repair, and Volunteer Experience Leaders provide hospitality and faithful conversations for volunteers. If you are interested in becoming a Disaster Site Leader and want to be notified of finalized details, please email us. + + + + + Week of Compassion partners with Children’s Disaster Services to provide respite childcare in disaster shelters and resources centers. Visit Week of Compassion's Trainings page for more information about participating in or hosting a training. To learn more about how this ministry is already showing up in times of need, check out this story. Comments are closed.
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Week of Compassion is the relief, refugee and development mission fund
of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada. |
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mailing address:
P.O. Box 1986, Indianapolis IN 46206 |
building address:
1099 N. Meridian, Ste 700, Indianapolis IN 46204 |