December - January News and Updates
California Wildfires
United Rescue Alliance Founder and CEO, Angel Poorman, is in California to respond to the devastating wildfires. While there, Angel gave a Just In Time MESSH (Mental, Emotional, Social, and Spiritual Health) training to community leaders and volunteers with Harvest Rock Church. In partnership with Nancy Economou from Watts of Love, solar lights will also be distributed to assist families in the immediate and long-term recovery. In collaboration with Good360 and Young Living, URA provided essential resources and cleaning supplies to aid in the recovery and cleanup process. Additionally, partnering with Project 7 Billion, URA shared the gospel through Lion of Judah cards with those affected by this devastating crisis. Together, we are helping rebuild and bring hope.
How You Can Help:
PRAY- for those affected by the fire and for the safety of first responders.
SHARE- about what URA is doing and how others can help.
GIVE- Prayerfully consider financially supporting URA’s response so that the team can continue to be a beacon of hope and light to those in need.
Letourneau University
In January, the URA team visited Letourneau University in Longview, Texas to teach the MESSH Responder course to 13 senior nursing students. These future healthcare leaders gained hands-on training in Mental Emotional, Social, and Spiritual Health, Whole Community Preparedness, Incident Command, Triage, Search & Rescue, and more. The course even included a live tornado response simulation to put their skills to the test!
Cookie Delivery
During December, the URA team had the opportunity to bake and deliver cookies to the Dyess Air Force Base Airmen! These cookies were symbols of our gratitude for those who serve our country so faithfully and protect our freedom.
URA 2024 Wrap-Up
With the conclusion of 2024, we wanted to highlight some of the major projects that United Rescue Alliance did during the year! In March, URA completed virtual recordings of our CERT trainings to expand our reach with a hybrid CERT training (see the article below for more information). The team also created virtual versions of all of our trainings, including MESSH and COOP.
In April, the URA-Camp Barkeley Ropes Course officially returned and the team responded to the Hawley/Hodges tornadoes with backpacks full of hygiene supplies for those who were displaced from their homes.
In May, the team traveled all over, responding in Jackson Mississippi to the tornado that affected We Will Go Ministries base and in Houston, Texas to the flooding, by repairing water-damaged homes. The team also received a trailer full of medical supplies that was generously donated to go to the URA Guatemala Community Center, and trained Community Foundation of Abilene in Continuity of Operations Planning!
In June, URA-Camp Barkeley started the Camp Barkeley Memorial Prayer Garden, the team took a CPR course, and distributed mattresses to survivors of the Houston, Texas flooding.
In July, United Rescue Alliance took a team of volunteers to Guatemala for a mission trip, and went to Tel Aviv, Israel to deliver the Public Health Consequences in Disasters Addressed Through MESSH Response Team course to masters level students. Also, the team hosted another CERT training in Abilene!
In August, URA officially joined the Abilene Chamber of Commerce and Jim Ned CISD leadership took the URA-Camp Barkeley ropes course and Leadership Development!
In September, the men of United Rescue Alliance went to the Beltway Mens Bootcamp for team building.
In October, URA hosted the annual team retreat, and had a booth at the West Central Texas Emergency Preparedness Conference.
United Rescue Alliance is incredibly grateful to our partners and donors who help us continue to empower our community and beyond!
Virtual Trainings
United Rescue Alliance, in partnership with AARP, is offering complimentary virtual disaster preparedness trainings! URA has created a hybrid CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) training, virtual MESSH (Mental, Emotional, Social, and Spiritual Health), and virtual Neighborhood Preparedness training to help you prepare yourself and your household for disasters!
CERT
Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) deploy to local, or regional disasters. CERT includes training in: Disaster Medical Operations, Fire Safety, Disaster Preparedness, Disaster Psychology and more!
MESSH
Mental, Emotional, Social and Spiritual Health (MESSH) training teaches participants to acknowledge and properly respond to all facets of their own health and a survivors health during a disaster response
Neighborhood Preparedness
Neighborhood Preparedness training helps participants prepare their homes for disasters and emergencies by gathering supplies and preparedness tools that are specific to your households needs!
URA Guatemala 2024 Wrap-Up
Just like URA America, we want to highlight the amazing work that URA Guatemala did in 2024!
In February, the team worked with Guatemala’s Municipality to perform a simulation evacuating 800,000 people in Guatemala with over 600 buildings participating in the simulation! They did a resource distribution and outreach that allowed them to share the Gospel with children who had never heard it and bring them to Jesus!! The team also delivered first-grade school supplies to Sucely, a young girl that URA Guatemala sponsors.
In March, the team worked with partner organization, Lignum, to do socio-economic profile interviews for house construction candidates and delivered school shoes to Sucely.
In May, the URA Guatemala Community Center officially opened for medical clinics!! During the clinics, they did height and weight measurements, and vaccinations for children.
In June, the URA America team brought 18 volunteers from Beltway Park church for a mission trip with URA Guatemala! The trip consisted of outreaches, resource distribution, home construction, and lots of Gospel sharing!
In July and August, URA Guatemala Executive Director, Dr Brenda Zamora assisted in teaching the Public Health Consequences in a Disaster Addressed Through MESSH Response Teams course with URA America in Tel Aviv, Israel, and the URA Guatemala team did more medical consultations at the Community Center.
In October, the team performed a CERT training for the National Police of Guatemala!
In November, the team did two medical and dental outreach’s in Jocotillo, Guatemala with partner organizations. They also did a first aid training for the Fraijanes Municipality!
Starting the year off strong, United Rescue Alliance Guatemala gave a CERT training 40 officers from the Guatemala National Police! In addition, the team held a vaccination clinic, did toy and resource distribution to families in need, and delivered school supplies to students so that they can attend school!
Resource Delivery with Good360
In partnership with Good360, and Chike Nutrition, United Rescue Alliance received three 18-wheelers with 12,600 Nike Shoes! After disasters, URA, with our partner organizations will distribute these shoes around the Big Country and around the world!
URA is so grateful for our partners that make projects like this possible!
MESSH for Legal Aid
In January, United Rescue Alliance had the opportunity to teach MESSH (Mental, Emotional, Social, and Spiritual Health) training to Legal Aid. Unfortunately, disaster survivors often need legal representation after disasters. MESSH training provided an opportunity for the attorneys at Legal Aid to know exactly how to respond to survivors in post-disaster situations!
Donation for The Carolinas
In December, a couple that are valued partners and friends of URA, donated their motorhome. United Rescue Alliance will be driving to the Carolinas to gift it to a family who lost their home during Hurricane Helene. The URA team is so grateful for this opportunity to partner with our friends and give this gift to someone in need. Please look for more updates in the next few months!
Join Us for Worship!
Every Tuesday night at 6:30pm, URA hosts a night of worship and prayer at the Camp Barkeley Worship Center. All are welcome and invited!
