Disaster Response Work

Some of the work requires skilled labor and some just need willing & hard-working individuals. There are three different types of work that you may engage in.

Where volunteers showed up last summer in the high country!

Shelter

Many homes were damaged or destroyed due to flooding, landslides, and trees falling into the home. To help homeowners the work may include some indoor debris removal or "Muck & Gut" as well as construction & home repair

Land

Between trees falling and rivers depositing debris, there is a lot of work to be done still in repairing our beautiful land. This could be debris removal (trash, trees), chainsaws to remove trees, cutting firewood, lawn cleanup, landscaping and river or trail clean ups

People

Our neighborhoods were in crisis prior to the storm and now it is only compounded. Organizations that started serving more areas, are still in those areas because the need continues. Work could entail supporting food pantries, warehouses, cooking, and cleaning.

We will do our best to match the skills you bring to WNC with the work that needs to be completed. We view this recovery work as God’s work to heal the people and land in which we live. We must be flexible enough to respond to changes in where God is calling us to focus the work on. This means the work you will be doing here will likely be determined the week before you arrive and might even change the day before you head to the assigned site. Depending on the size of your group, you may not all be working at the same work site.

Volunteers must be 14 years old or older to participate in most (but not all) disaster work as most sites have age limits to enter their work site. When bringing anyone under the age of 18 you need to ensure your group ratio is 8 youth to 1 adult. Some work sites may require a smaller ratio. The ages of your group will be considered when matching your group with work.

Addresses will be provided to work site locations. Maps will be provided as well if there is concern about cell phone access.

On the work site:

Commit to quality work and put your best forward. You are helping the community recover and they would appreciate your best.
Work as a team and take directions from project leadership which includes only doing the work asked of you. If you are asked to do something you are not comfortable doing, ask for another project.
Do not proselytize your faith but rather communicate your love for the survivor by respecting them and their belongings.
Listen to survivor’s stories with nonjudgemental listening.

More than the work...

Doing God-Work only makes a difference in the lives of the people here and in your life when you take the time to prepare and reflect. There are multiple ways we are prepared to assist your group in this God-Work.

Preparation

We have developed a page on this site all about helping you prepare before you arrive in Western North Carolina. By clicking on the image above you will navigate there immediately.

Orientation

Prior to starting work, we will lead an orientation with you that will focus on Appalachia culture, what actually happened with the storm, the impact on the people here, and how your support is helping us recover.

Camp Staff

While you are at camp and on the work site, you will have immediate access to camp staff who can help you in leading morning prayer and evening devotion and reflections.

Reflection

The final bookend for your time in WNC is through reflecting on the work and the experiences you had while here and how you will take that home with you. We look forward to leading this time with you or joining you in your own reflection rituals.

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