The LTRC is a cooperative body that is made up of representatives from faith-based, non-profit, government, business, and other organizations working within a community to assist individuals and families as they recover from the disaster. The goal of the LTRC is to unite recovery resources with the community need in order to ensure that even the most vulnerable in the community recover from the disaster.
The LTRC focuses on four primary areas: disaster case management, donations management, volunteer management, and spiritual and emotional care.
The mission of donations management is to provide a comprehensive process that organizes the giving, receiving and distribution of both solicited and unsolicited donated goods so that the maximum benefit is derived for the disaster survivors. The direct recipients of donated goods could be disaster survivors, voluntary organizations or community-based organizations, and/or governmental agencies.
Volunteers are a key component of disaster recovery. Since volunteers come with variety of skill sets, it is important to place volunteers in roles that fit their ability. Those skills and abilities may include but are not limited to: debris removal, cleaning out homes, repairing and rebuilding homes, case management, program leadership, office skills, as well as professional services such as legal advice, accounting and computer expertise.
The Volunteer Coordinator is a vital link in connecting valuable resources to those with unmet needs. Working closely with volunteers, disaster survivors, and agencies/donors, the task of the Volunteer Coordinator is to utilize volunteer help where it will address the greatest need. This requires close collaboration between the Volunteer Coordinator and Disaster Case Manager.
In times of disaster, people lose their sense of safety and security and, often, deep questions about God and faith emerge. Moments like these require spiritual and emotional care teams to provide comfort, hope and help. Disaster victims are often vulnerable and hurting and simply need a listening ear to bring relief to stresses brought on by loss. Some common responses include: