July News and Updates
Tel Aviv Poster Presentation
Dawn Skaggs, a URA Board Member, attended Tel Aviv University's Career Development Day in support of URA's virtual intern, Hannah Salamon. Hannah is completing her Master of Disaster Management. She did her final project on MESSH inclusion in disaster response, and the MESSH simulation that she facilitated with URA. The Career Development Day was an opportunity for Hannah to showcase what she had learned through her internship with URA, and a chance to celebrate the soon to be graduates. Dawn Skaggs shared that she was elated to meet Hannah Salamon in person and was impressed with the level of work from Hannah and the other students.
While there, Dawn also helped facilitate a Tabletop Executive Simulation for Hannah's Disaster Management class. The purpose of the simulation was to walk students through a practice disaster and give them an opportunity to formulate responses to the curveballs that disasters throw. The students were grouped together to represent international humanitarian organizations. While making choices on behalf of these organizations, they had to consider all of the details of the fictional disaster, and work within the constraints that the real life organizations have. She had only good things to say about the knowledge level and capacity of the class!
Community Emergency Response Team
In June, URA hosted Texans from across the state to become official Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) members! The training was a success and United Rescue Alliance is excited to announce that the next training will be December 6-9, 2023! During CERT trainings, students of all ages and experience levels learn how they can respond and help their community and first responders in times of emergency and disasters. Students spend four days learning lifesaving skills like fire suppression, emergency first aid, and disaster psychology.
Click the link below to learn more about how you can become a trained CERT member!
Preparedness Peace
Over the last few months, United Rescue Alliance has been partnering with an organization called Preparedness Peace to teach local churches and households how to be prepared for a disaster with a Biblical mindset. The Preparedness Peace training walks participants through God’s call on Christian’s to be prepared for emergencies and disasters, not just for themselves, but so that they can help their neighbors.
The Preparedness Peace training consists of six weekly trainings for churches and groups. Each week covers a different topic like the basic essentials for home and family preparedness, vital document storage, how to ensure your family has clean and safe drinking water, and evacuation plans. By the end of the training you, your church or group, and your family, will be confident in your ability to prepare for and survive a disaster.
Want to learn more or sign up? Click the link below!
This month, United Rescue Alliance was invited to present at the Big Country Conservative Coalition meeting! While there, the team shared about the importance of personal and family preparedness. URA is always grateful for the opportunity to make new connections and share about the importance of this topic!
URA Guatemala
This month, the United Rescue Alliance Guatemala team met with Semilla de Fe Church to present their Mentorship Program for Communities. This program aims to assist community members in bettering their lives and learning about the Gospel of Jesus! Since this month’s meeting was so successful, the team hopes to begin this program in El Jocotillo, Villa Canales very soon!
Currently, El Jocotillo, Villa Canales does not have a fire station or paramedic station. Without access to these essential resources, fires are more likely to spread, and lives are more likely to be lost. The team met with a group of community members who desire to build a fire/paramedic station! Please keep the URA Guatemala team and the community of El Jocotillo, Villa Canales in your prayers as this is a much needed development!
This summer, the URA Guatemala team also had the opportunity to partner with the Moore Center to do a toy delivery for El Jocotillo, Villa Canales! 20 boxes of toys were distributed to children whose families have very few resources. The team is grateful for the partnership of the Moore Center, and the friendship of the community of El Jocotillo, Villa Canales!
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!
