Upper New York Conference awarded $46,000 Disaster Preparedness Grant through UMCOR

By UNY Communications | Email

The Upper New York Conference recently received a $46,000 Disaster Preparedness Grant from the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). The focus of the grant is to strengthen and build resilient communities by offering new trainings to engage new skills in disaster response ministry, investing in local church ministries, and creating an asset map to identify and mobilize ministry assets across the Conference.

Micro-Grants for Local Churches   Twenty-thousand dollars of the grant will be used to provide approximately 30 micro-grants to local churches. These grants will help congregations strengthen existing ministries or support disaster mitigation efforts. This grant will launch in July 2026.   

Launching the UNY Asset Map   The grant is also supporting the development of the United Methodists of Upper New York Asset Map, an interactive tool designed to identify and mobilize church resources throughout the Conference.   The map identifies ministry assets, building capabilities, and other resources that could be utilized during disaster response efforts. The tool also helps local congregations identify mission opportunities and foster greater collaboration among churches.   Every church is encouraged to participate and get “on the map” by completing the asset mapping questionnaire and ensuring their congregation's resources are represented.  

Explore the asset map here.  

Add your church to the map here.  

Expanding Disaster Response Training 

Recognizing the changing nature of disasters in the region, UNY and Susquehanna Conference are collaborating on new training opportunities to engage the range of skills and gifts that are part of a community’s response.  

Early Response Team (ERT) members and Camp & Retreat Ministries are collaborating to offer a Chainsaw Safety Course. This training will equip participants with practical skills needed to respond safely to the increasing number of tornadoes, severe storms, and high-wind events affecting communities across Upper New York. This training is only open to already trained Early Response Team members and Camp & Retreat Ministries. 

Asset Based Community Development trainings will also be offered in collaboration with ecumenical partners. Dates and more information will be released at a later time.    

Trauma-Informed Care Training Series 

The grant is also funding a new Trauma-Informed Care Training Series that will take place via Zoom on September 16, September 30, and October 14 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

The training is being led by Amy Fleischauer, LMSW, a trainer through the Institute on Trauma and Trauma-Informed Care. Participants will gain a foundational understanding of trauma, learn how to provide compassionate support during times of crisis, and develop skills that can be applied in ministry and disaster response settings. 

Individuals who complete the training will become part of the Disaster Response Ministry’s Community Care Team and may be called upon to provide spiritual and emotional support during disaster response efforts.  

A second Trauma-Informed Care Training Series is planned for the winter to provide additional opportunities for participation. 

Click here to learn more and register.  

Building Resilient Communities Together 

The 2026 Upper New York Annual Conference affirmed the Strategic Missional Path Forward following months of listening, discernment, and visioning across the Conference. Throughout that process, disaster response ministry emerged as one of Upper New York’s strengths and a meaningful expression of its commitment to serving vulnerable communities. This UMCOR grant will help build on that foundation by strengthening preparedness efforts and equipping local churches for future response and recovery ministries. 

The Upper New York Conference thanks UMCOR for this generous grant and all who support UMCOR’s disaster response ministry through their giving. This funding helps equip churches and communities to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters with compassion and care. 

For questions or more information, contact Kristina Clark, Associate Director of Missional Excellence: Resilient Communities, at kristinaclark@unyumc.org.