Community Response Hub

Welcome to the YouthWorks Community Response Hub. This is where we communicate the needs of our community partners so that you can find ways to support them outside of the context of a summer mission trip. Part of the long-term vision YouthWorks has for supporting the communities we serve is to share the needs of our partners to a wider audience on an ongoing basis and give you the opportunity to participate in the restorative work God is doing in these communities. Thank you for stopping by and for supporting our partners in any way that you do!

Crisis/Disaster Response

Updates

We have reached out to our partners in New Orleans and Bayou La Batre to see how they’re doing in the aftermath of Hurricane Zeta. As of right now we know that the storm brought high winds that resulted in downed trees and power lines. We will post any further updates as we have them. Please keep these communities in your prayers. 

There are several wildfires currently in northern Colorado, some as close as just an hour outside of Denver. The largest and most concerning fire is the Cameron Peak Fire and it has already claimed the title of the largest wildfire in Colorado’s history. Pray for the thousands of firefighters working to combat the fires and helping people evacuate safely. Pray for the families displaced by evacuations and those who have lost their homes to the fires. Pray that rain and snow would cover the area and help contain the fires. While we do not have partners in the area of the fires, please pray for our friends and partners in the Denver area as they experience poor air quality from the proximity of the fires.

The Bayou was hit pretty hard and was without power. The biggest need was generators for individuals or businesses. People were driving far distances to get gas because all gas stations were down. Residents needed to drive to MS to get basic necessities and gas.
 
Flooding wasn’t bad. The wind had significant impact to structures, power lines, etc. Damage to our community partner Robert’s camp has been significant. Robert said that things are better now that they have power.
 
Gulf Shores UMC has an in-person drive-thru sign up for volunteering via text message or phone call.
http://gulfshoresumc.org/disaster-response.
 
There is a need for groups to go out at various sites to help with clean up, cooking/food distribution on site at the donation/distribution center. 
 
 

We’ve reached out to our community partners in Bayou La Batre and will follow up with updates as soon as we have more information or specific needs to share. Right now, if you could join us in prayer for our partners as Hurricane Sally has hit the Gulf Coast. 

Those partners include: The Community Center and our friends Brandi Piedra and Robert Besson.

We’ve reached out to our community partners in Portland, San Diego and the Bay Area as they are dealing with the West Coast wildfires. We will follow up with updates as soon as we have more information or specific needs to share. Right now, if you could join us in prayer. Those community partners are:

In Portland: Resurrection Lutheran, Because People Matter, Portland Rescue Mission, My Father’s House, Union Gospel Mission, Agape Blitz, Rockwood Prepatory Academy, Oregon Food Bank.

In San Diego: St. Andrews Lutheran, New Life Assembly, Back on the Saddle, Harvest Crops, Flinn Springs Park, Border Angels.

In the Bay Area: First Presbyterian Church San Leandro, Boys and Girls Club, Community Food Bank, Habitat for Humanity, Jeff Shankles, Bay Area Rescue Mission.

Community Upates, Prayer Requests and Volunteer Opportunities

Updates

Prayer needs updated for Alamosa, Blackfeet Nation, Denver, Twin Cities and Duluth. 

We’ve updated our community map to reflect the latest prayer requests and volunteer needs of our community partners. Click on the markers to find out specific information so you know how you can support them in prayer. If you’re interested in any volunteer opportunities,  we’ve included contact information so you can  reach out directly if you’re interested in serving.