Community in Crisis.  Community in Action.

Communities often turn to churches as makeshift shelters during emergencies. In November 2008, in the wake of deadly tornados in Kenly, NC, there was nothing makeshift about the activities at Kenly Original Freewill Baptist Church.

The church’s pastor and partner organization Harvest Connection had recently been trained in emergency management response techniques by Community in Crisis, a local nonprofit dedicated to creating disaster resilient communities. The church pastor Harold Stinson and volunteers immediately put their training into action, becoming the headquarters for the American Red Cross relief efforts. Throughout the response period, the church provided shelter, food and comfort for firefighters, police, EMS and families.

Johnston County American Red Cross Director Donna Whitman was impressed, "This church has been amazing. I've never seen anything go into action so fast. They had their act together. They were far better prepared than we could ever hope to be. I wish every church were this prepared, especially if we have a mass disaster."

Just as disasters are real and affect lives, so do organizations like Community in Crisis that help communities plan for, respond to and recover from emergencies.

Executive director of Community in Crisis, Deborah Dunn, describes the contradiction of emergency preparedness work as “feeling like Chicken Little running around saying the sky is falling!”

It can be difficult for communities to realize the need to make emergency plans before a crisis. However, Community in Crisis succeeds at leading a community through emergency preparedness planning by offering trainings and convening key community partners. While no one wants their community to suffer from a disaster, it is only during emergency situations that all the planning and hard work can be tested.

Thanks to the training provided by Community in Crisis and the efforts of volunteers, Kenly residents were well prepared to provide help to their fellow community members in their time of need.

Community in Crisis participated in the BCBSNC Foundation Emergency Preparedness Grant Program