UMCOR is the humanitarian relief and development agency of The United Methodist Church. Compelled by Christ, UMCOR responds to natural or human made disasters — those interruptions of such magnitude that they overwhelm a community’s ability to recover on its own.
Local Response
When disaster strikes, the local church usually provides the first response. This basic understanding — that disaster response is local — helps form a foundation for UMCOR’s national training and response.
UMCOR, through its partnership with annual conferences, has the capability to arrive immediately in response to large disasters. They can provide advice, counseling and mentoring. UMCOR only responds at the invitation of and through the local Annual Conference. They work with a highly-trained network of staff and volunteers to assist annual conferences in developing an appropriate response to all phases of a disaster.
The United Methodists in the North Texas region can provide:
- Clean-up teams with badges and specialized training in muck-out, tarping and chainsaw.
- Case management
- Mass shelter (in cooperation with the Red Cross)
- Volunteer rebuilding teams
Training
UMCOR provides training to annual conferences and local churches on disaster preparation and response. UMCOR also offers guidance in the immediate aftermath of a disaster. Subjects covered in either pre-disaster or post-disaster training include but are not limited to:
- Conference disaster organization
- Selection and hiring of staff
- Coordination with other response agencies
- Budget building
- Volunteer management
- Case management
- Spiritual and emotional care for children, youth and adults.
Long-Term Recovery
UMCOR works with the annual conference and local community to set up a long-term response to disasters. UMCOR-trained case managers work with survivors to plan and implement their personal recovery plans.
Case managers walk with survivors through the complicated maze of insurance and FEMA applications as well as connect the with Volunteer in Mission teams and organizations that can provide for their specific needs. In short, case managers work as the survivor’s advocate to receive recovery assistance.
Recovery Office
(469) 243-1008 or (469) 243-6906
Hours of Operation
Saturday: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Sunday: 2 p.m.-7 p.m.
Monday: 4 p.m.-7 p.m.
Tuesday: 4 p.m.-7 p.m.
Wednesday: 4 p.m.-7 p.m.
Relief Supply Kits
A great mission project for all ages is putting together any of the United Methodist Committee on Relief kits that are used in relief efforts. Kits help sustain everyday life for people who lack ready access to essential supplies. They provide vital support for UMCOR’s global development work and make a tangible difference in people’s lives.
Assembly can be done at the local church, and when the project is completed, the kits may be brought to the Conference office for shipping.
Shipping Requirements
- All kits must be in sturdy boxes and taped shut, with the exception of the flood buckets (cleaning kits).
- Pack the items tightly or the boxes tend to crush when stacked.
- Write on the top the name of your church, the contents of the box, and how many.
- Make an appointment to deliver your kits.
- Bring along someone who can lift the boxes into our box truck.