Mission

NECHAMA is a voluntary organization that provides natural disaster preparedness, response and recovery services nationwide. Our mission is to bring comfort to people impacted by natural disasters by preparing, equipping, and leading volunteers in assisting communities with disaster response and recovery. Our work is guided by the Jewish principal of tikkun olam, humankind’s responsibility to do good deeds with the intent of repairing the world.

NECHAMA is registered with the IRS as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Programs

NECHAMA’s programs are direct and effective ways for communities to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters. Our programs aim to provide direct disaster assistance, training and other support so that affected individuals, families, and businesses can respond more effectively, and save precious time and money.

NECHAMA is inclusive and welcomes volunteers of all faiths and provides assistance to disaster survivors regardless of religious affiliation. Our work provides disaster survivors with critical comfort and hope.

NECHAMA’s Disaster Response Program:

• Provides direct cleanup assistance following large-scale natural disasters such as clearing wind and water damage related debris from inside and around homes. Response services are free of charge to those in need.

NECHAMA’s Disaster Recovery Program:

• Provides direct repair and rebuild assistance to households that sustained minor to moderate damage as a result of a natural disaster and do not have enough funds to complete all repair work needed. This program has been activated after Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy. The labor services are provided free of charge to homeowners that meet a minimum set of qualifications based on need. NECHAMA works with community long-term recovery case managers and other funders to provide additional resources for building materials when possible.

NECHAMA’S Training Program:

• Provides pre- and post-disaster training related to cleanup, chainsaw operation, safety, and volunteer management for individual volunteers as well as other organizations across the country to extend NECHAMA’s expertise to the broader response community.

NECHAMA’s Tool Lending Program:

• Lends cleanup tools for extended periods to resource-challenged organizations, communities and individuals responding to disaster. The program is open to established and community start-up organizations.