LDRNY Eletter | Eletter Archive

Dear Friends of Lutheran Disaster Response of New York:

Here’s the April 20th edition of Comfort & Renew Online, a weekly e-newsletter provided by LDRNY. If you have something to share, please drop an email to mikki@LDRNY.org .

Faithful Response director advocates for care for first-responders
Michael Arcari, Director of Faithful Response, met recently with newly appointed 9/11 Health Czar Dr. John Howard in New York to discuss the continued needs of rescue and recovery workers. Arcari spoke about the need for continued support for confidential mental-health care for first-responders. Faithful Response, a partner of Lutheran Disaster Response of New York, provides mental-health counseling. To read the story and see a photo, go to www.LDRNY.org Click on Top News.

LDRNY, Faithful Response, OEM offer stress management workshop
LDRNY and Faithful Response, in conjunction with Nassau County's Office of Emergency Management, are offering a free workshop on Comprehensive Acute Traumatic Stress Management (CATSM), May 13 or May 22, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Freeport Firehouse, Freeport, Long Island. The workshop features Dr. Ray Shelton, director of Professional Development with the American Academy of Experts in traumatic stress. For more information or to register, call Michael Arcari, Faithful Response, 516-679-0080, help@faithfulresponse.org. Or visit www.LDRNY.org

Expo for 9/11 cleanup workers
NYCOSH is sponsoring an expo for 9/11 cleanup workers and their families. Learn up-to-date information on the services and benefits still available for those who worked at Ground Zero, on May 6, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Elmhurst Hospital Center, 79-01 Broadway in Elmhurst. For more information, contact Luzdary Girlado at 212-227-6440 x 18 or lgiraldo@nycosh.org

Katrina evacuees need your help
An estimated 2,000 families evacuated from the Katrina disaster now live in New York City. Many are moving into apartments with no household items or furniture. Also needed is help with moving, pro bono medical and mental health support, and space for a support group. You can help through New York Disaster Interfaith Services, the federation that develops faith-based disaster readiness, response, and recovery services for our city. Lutheran Disaster Response-New York is a founding member of NYDIS. Contact Gili Chupak, 212-669-6108. gchupak@nydis.org

LDRNY partner launches its own website, www.faithfulresponse.org
Introducing: www.faithfulresponse.org. LDRNY's partner, Faithful Response, has launched a website, right in time for its first anniversary. Faithful Response is a program that offers free counseling to those still affected by 9/11 on Long Island. Please stop by and visit today. You can also access the site by going to www.LDRNY.org and clicking on the Faithful Response logo. And while you're at it, drop Michael Arcari a note, Michael@faithfulresponse.org, and tell him what you think.

Donor resource guide offered
The New York Regional Association of Grantmakers (NYRAG) is offering a 100-page resource guide, the Donors' Guide to Gulf Coast Relief & Recovery: The First 120 Days. The guide is based on the experience of NYRAG members and their work in the Gulf Coast. www.nyrag.org

Salvation Army decentralizes WTC assistance
The Salvation Army of Greater NY's WTC Recovery office on East 52nd St. will officially close as of June 30. By that date The Salvation Army will be referring all remaining active WTC clients to case managers at its Corps Community Centers throughout Manhattan. Over the next four months, The Salvation Army will partner with NYDIS's 9/11 Outreach Coordinator, Mariam Mahmud, to send as many cases as possible to the NYC 9/11 Unmet Needs Roundtable to secure sustainable recovery support.

Churches needed to sponsor Katrina evacuees
LDRNY's partner, New York Disaster Interfaith Services (NYDIS) is seeking churches and families to sponsor Katrina evacuees who are being resettled from hotels. NYDIS has the profiles of many families large and small needing a home. If your church is interested in sponsoring, contact NYDIS at www.NYDIS.org

Help line available for Katrina evacuees in NYC
Case managers are available to work with Katrina evacuees in New York City, helping to plan for their future. Catholic Charities, Archdiocese NY, is coordinating the effort. Katrina evacuees can call 1-888-744-7900, Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Helpline is not a general information and referral line for Katrina-related questions. It is designed to be the central point for assigning clients to case managers. For more information on Katrina help, go to www.LDRNY.org.

Does your church want to learn about preparedness?
Michael Arcari, program director for Faithful Response, an LDRNY partner, is available to discuss disaster preparedness at your church. He can discuss how to be prepared, along with showing what goes into a Go Bag, or a topic of special interest to you. To schedule a talk at your church, call Arcari at 516-679-0080, or faithfulresponse@ldrny.org. Visit www.LDRNY.org.

Servant event opportunities in NYC
Is your congregation looking for a Servant Event opportunity for Summer 2006? Koinonia NYC organizes servant events that include service projects, faith-based conversations, worship disciplines, Bible study, New York City experiences and a Faith Walk? at Ground Zero. The full-week schedule combines service time in the urban environment of New York City with a closing weekend retreat at Koinonia's wilderness setting in cabin housing. Koinonia NYC will work with your group to create an event that will suit your group's interest and needs. Koinonia NYC is a ministry of Koinonia and works in partnership with Lutheran Social Services Lutheran Disaster Response of New York), and New York City Lutheran congregations to coordinate a meaningful broad-based experience. Housing options are available throughout Manhattan and the greater New York area, depending on group needs. Servant events can also be arranged with Koinonia NYC throughout the year as a week-long event, an extended weekend, or a weekend. For additional information contact the Koinonia NYC office at 212-669-6131 or KoinoniaNYC@yahoo.com. Additional information can also be found at www.KoinoniaNY.org or www.LDRNY.org.

Want to be a docent for Ground Zero tours?
The 9/11 Families Association is training volunteer docents to lead tours of Ground Zero. There are training dates in November in December. You can download an application at http://www.ldrny.org/GroundZero/GroundZero4.asp> or visit http://tributenyc.org/

Take a planned Faith Walk around Ground Zero

LDRNY partner Koinonia NYC invites you to take a Faith Walk around Ground Zero. Faith Walks are inspirational and educational tours of Ground Zero and surrounding landmarks, encouraging healing and hope in the face of despair. If you’re planning a trip to New York City, or want to read more about others’ experiences, go to www.LDRNY.org. Participants always report back that they liked the Faith Walk. Here is a comment from one person: "It was informative, very moving, and certainly uplifting. In your very kind and thoughtful manner, you put us all at ease. Your friendly way made us all able to participate and enjoy this opportunity."

Make a gift to LDRNY

LDRNY is grateful for the gifts it receives. If you’d like to make a donation to honor or memorialize someone, send a check to LDRNY at the address below. Tell us who should be notified of the gift, and please provide an address. Thrivent members will have their gift matched.

You may now make a gift to support the work of LDRNY among the hidden victims of Sept. 11 online, thanks to Lutheran Community Foundation’s Charity Finder. Go to

http://www.thelcf.org/donors/charityfinder_details.asp?charity_id=145

Events, programs and training on www.LDRNY.org <http://www.LDRNY.org/>

You’re reminded to check the LDRNY.org website often for a complete listing of events taking place around Ground Zero and in lower Manhattan, and for programs and training relating to 9/11. They’re listed here: http://www.ldrny.org/comfort/comfort3.asp

Helpful sites you may want to visit

• Lifenet www.9-11MentalHealth.org 1-800-LIFENET.

LDRNY contact info

To contact LDRNY, call 1-866-864-1600, or send an email to Mikki@ldrny.org Visit the website for information on any of our programs – www.LDRNY.org.

LDRNY

22 Cortlandt St. 10007

New York, NY

1-866-864-1600

212-406-9736

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