RESPONSE

World Cares Center (WCC)’s Jamaica response combines healing arts programs, disaster response training, and medical clinics that are also serving as coordination centers. Together, supported by the Tryall Fund and in partnership with WCC’s Northern Caribbean University’s internship program, these efforts are helping Jamaican communities recover from Hurricane Melissa, while building long-term resiliency and strengthening their capacity to respond to future crises with confidence and resilience.

World Cares Center (WCC) deployed to Ukraine in the fall of 2023 and spring of 2024 to conduct medical clinics and resiliency workshops with families and children in the resettlement villages. Partnering with humanitarian aid organization Barnova27 and several local groups, our team treated over 1,000 refugees in resettlement villages and shelters. WCC’s resiliency workshops helped families and children cope with the trauma of war and displacement. Through WCC’s train-the-trainer program, the Resiliency Program is expanding throughout local NGOs.

Within days of COVID-19 becoming a pandemic, World Cares Center (WCC) developed and launched four new COVID-19 trainings in English and Spanish. WCC began distributing N95 respirators to frontline responders, including nurses, doctors, firefighters, and volunteers, then purchased additional PPE to keep responders safe until government stockpiles were filled. WCC continues to distribute PPE, train, and hold roundtables so that everyone can access resources.

Upon the request of the Puerto Rico Department of Health, World Cares Center (WCC) immediately deployed to provide guidance and senior management in setting up the public health response for volunteer coordination and volunteer reception centers (VRCs) across the island, coordinating with partners, including Universidad Metropolitana and IMPACTIVO. WCC also provided training to volunteer groups deployed to the impacted territories. Training focused on safe and effective flood response, and all participating trainees were given personal protective equipment to remain safe in their efforts.

World Cares Center (WCC) was deployed to Texas as part of the NIEHS-affiliated New York/New Jersey Hazardous Waste Worker Training Program: Harvey Response Team. WCC delivered hazard identification and disaster response training to VOAD members and faith-based groups in the region.

World Cares Center (WCC), well-prepared due to its Hurricane Irene response, opened three volunteer reception centers in Brooklyn, Far Rockaway, and Staten Island, spontaneous volunteers who mucked and gutted over 500 homes, preparing them for a rebuild. WCC also trained volunteers in flood safety and response.

World Cares Center (WCC) led the coordination of volunteer groups, providing muck-and services across New Jersey. Working with NJ211, New Jersey State Police, NJ VOAD, and dozens of volunteer groups, WCC managed over 1,200 requests for support. This response led to the development of World Cares Center’s Flood Response Training co-developed with the Southern Baptists Response Team.

In concert with the University of New Orleans and FEMA, World Cares Center assisted in local volunteer management and the development of Welcome Home Centers.

World Cares Center transformed the September Space Community Resilience Center into a temporary shelter and call center for stranded individuals in the NYC area.

The work behind World Cares Center emerged during this time when the September Space Community Resilience Center was set up to serve as a healing space for volunteers and emergency responders.