Programs for every stage of the disaster cycle.

Congregation-Based Preparedness Training

A modular workshop curriculum designed to be delivered within any faith community, regardless of denomination or building size.

Faith leaders, deacons, trustees, and active congregation members

• Emergency planning for houses of worship
• Evacuation procedures and shelter-in-place protocols
• First aid and CPR certification opportunities
• Multilingual training materials in 14 languages
• Tailored risk assessments for individual congregations

Interfaith Relief Coordination

When disaster strikes, NYDIS activates a coordinated network of partner organizations to deploy resources where they are most needed.

Partner congregations, faith-based nonprofits, and community organizations

• Real-time coordination with NYC Emergency Management
• Shelter activation and management support
• Hot meal and food pantry mobilization
• Donation management and distribution logistics
• Volunteer dispatch and coordination

Long-Term Recovery Case Management

Disaster recovery unfolds over months and years. NYDIS connects survivors with ongoing support through a managed network of services.

Disaster survivors and affected households across New York City

• Individual case assessment and needs mapping
• Connections to financial assistance programs
• Mental health and trauma-informed care referrals
• Home repair and rebuilding navigation
• Follow-up support for up to 24 months post-disaster

Community Resilience Building

Preparedness is not a one-time event. NYDIS works to embed disaster readiness into the ongoing culture of faith communities.

All NYDIS network members and partner organizations

• Annual resilience assessments for partner congregations
• Neighborhood emergency network facilitation
• Leadership cohort programs for emerging faith leaders
• Resource library with guides, templates, and toolkits
• Annual NYDIS Interfaith Resilience Convening

Multilingual Community Outreach

New York City's extraordinary linguistic diversity demands that emergency education meet people in their own language.

Immigrant and non-English-speaking communities citywide

• Training and materials in Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Bengali, Haitian Creole, Arabic, Russian, and more
• Community navigator program for immigrant congregations
• Partnerships with cultural organizations across the boroughs
• Alert and notification systems in multiple languages

Disaster Volunteer Training

Volunteers who show up unprepared can inadvertently create additional burdens. NYDIS ensures that faith-based volunteers arrive trained, credentialed, and coordinated.

Congregation members interested in organized volunteer service

• Disaster volunteer orientation and registration
• Role-specific training modules (logistics, distribution, pastoral care)
• Credentialing aligned with NYC VOAD standards
• Spontaneous volunteer management guidance