May News and Updates
Jackson, Mississippi Response
On May 10, 2024, severe storms moved in sparking tornado warnings in Jackson, Mississippi. A confirmed tornado was spotted on the radar in Hinds County, between Bolton and Clinton. Unfortunately, the We Will Go Ministries mission base was in the path of this tornado. The winds knocked down a large pecan tree and destroyed the hoop house in their garden. We Will Go is a long-standing partner of United Rescue Alliance.
The URA team was honored to go to Jackson, Mississippi to serve our partners and provide debris removal and hoop house reconstruction. Over the course of 2 days, the URA team removed the tree, formed stacks of firewood and mulched some of the firewood for use on their land. URA was thrilled to be able to continue partnering together in service.
Houston, Texas Response
Early in May, Houston and the surrounding areas like Conroe, Huntsville, and Humble had severe flooding that caused significant property and infrastructure damage. United Rescue Alliance was invited by Disaster Aid USA to serve alongside partners in Houston, Texas. This opportunity allowed the URA team to receive an on-site Disaster Aid Response Team (DART) training. While there, the team was honored to work with trusted partners from the Rotary International. While serving, the team assisted with mucking/gutting, debris removal and mold remediation for 3 families whose homes were devastated by the flooding.
Thank you!
As an organization, United Rescue Alliance would like to extend a huge thank you to all of our generous partners and donors that participated in Abilene Gives! We couldn’t continue to give hope in times of crisis if it wasn’t for your generous support.
URA Guatemala
May was a busy month for URA Guatemala! The team started the month by meeting with a community leadership group called Cocode, and Health Ministry representatives to plan the upcoming medical clinic at the URA Community Center. Later in the month, URA Guatemala, in collaboration with partners, hosted the Community Centers first ever medical clinic! During the clinic, the team served 36 individuals doing vaccinations, and basic check-ups for kids. The team rounded out the month by continuing to conduct socio-economic profile interviews for a home building project with URA Guatemala partner, Lignum.
Acts of Kindness from Esther Kissel
In May, trusted partner and friend of URA, Esther Kissel, donated her time and energy to drive a trailer full of much needed supplies from Colorado. These resources were donated by Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, Colorado. The trailer included about $40,000 worth of medical supplies that will be shipped to the URA Guatemala Community Center and put to use providing medical exams to the impoverished community of Escuintla.
On behalf of the entire URA America and Guatemala teams, thank you Esther and Northeastern Junior College!
COOP with Community Foundation
United Rescue Alliance started a 4 session consulting opportunity with the Community Foundation of Abilene this month. During this consultation, URA provides Continuity of Operations Planning (COOP) to organizations to assist them in creating a COOP plan of their own. COOP’s help ensure businesses and organizations of all types, sizes, and capacities, stay functioning during and after disasters!
Having recently revamped our COOP Consulting Program, United Rescue Alliance is excited to offer this opportunity to local organizations. If you would like to learn more about how your business or organization can prepare for a disaster, click the link below!
Become a CERT Member!
The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training educates volunteers about basic life saving skills and disaster preparedness. Team members are able to use their new knowledge and skills to volunteer during disasters and assist emergency response organizations and first responders. CERT training includes topics like fire safety, light search and rescue, disaster medical operations, and disaster preparedness.
Thanks to generous sponsorships, the upcoming CERT course is FREE. You will also receive a CERT backpack full of personal protective equipment for the training!
United Rescue Alliance wants YOU to be the next CERT member! You are welcome to sign up as an individual but everything is more fun in a group so grab your family, your neighbors, your church, and anyone else you can think of and spend July 17-20th getting CERT trained!
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!
