NYDIS is spearheaded, in large part, by Lutheran Disaster Response of New York’s Dr. John J. Scibilia. LDRNY has been leading the charge in bringing together the various interfaith denominations, many of which have separate agencies responding to Sept. 11.

The group consists of Episcopal Charities of the Diocese of New York, LDRNY, Presbytery of NYC, United Methodist Committee on Relief and the United Church of Christ National Disaster Ministries. Associate members include Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Brooklyn, Catholic Charities of the Archidiocese of New York, Church World Service, International Orthodox Christian Charities, Islamic Circle of North America and Jewish Community Relations Council of New York. NYDIS will work in collaboration with agencies such as the City Council of Churches, Disaster Spiritual Care Services and the Unmet Needs Roundtable, among others.

The inaugural meeting was hosted by Episcopal Charities at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in upper Manhattan.

NYDIS has been working together informally since Sept. 11, and has helped more than 4,000 people affected by the disaster. In addition, it has provided almost a $1 million in cash assistance for food, clothes, job placement and training, medical care, mental health services, mortgage and rental assistance and utilities.

NYDIS will establish an office this fall at 22 Cortlandt St., overlooking Ground Zero. It will share the new offices of LDRNY’s Comfort & Renewal Center.