Community-Based Organizations Play Key Role During Disasters

March 30, 2010 - PRLog -- SAN JOSE, Calif., March 30, 2010 – The recent earthquakes in Haiti and Chile have made it painfully clear that every segment of our community must be prepared for the next disaster. Here in Santa Clara County, where we live with the constant threat of earthquakes and fires, it’s not a question of if, but when the next disaster will strike. That’s why it’s significant that United Way Silicon Valley and the American Red Cross Silicon Valley Chapter have joined forces to strengthen local disaster-response efforts among community-based organizations in Santa Clara County.

Last year, United Way and American Red Cross stepped in to save CADRE (Collaborating Agencies' Disaster Relief Effort), a network of local nonprofit agencies that work together to coordinate disaster efforts, when the Volunteer Center of Silicon Valley, in a prelude to filing for bankruptcy, indicated it was no longer able to continue its five-year role of providing support to CADRE.

United Way Silicon Valley immediately convened a group of stakeholders, who agreed the program was too important to disband. In December 2009, United Way and American Red Cross applied for and were awarded a grant of up to $181,000 from the Santa Clara County Office of Emergency Services to revitalize and strengthen CADRE.

“CADRE is just too critical to our local disaster-relief efforts to let it fall by the wayside,” said Carole Leigh Hutton, president and CEO of United Way Silicon Valley. “Together with the expertise Red Cross brings to the table, we have the opportunity to reinvigorate CADRE so it can better serve the people of Santa Clara County.”

Community-based nonprofit organizations play a vital role in a disaster. They offer services that could be in greater demand, including food, shelter, health services, counseling, transportation, and legal assistance, or they may need to step up to fill a gap in services if required. After a disaster, some services may need to shift to other agencies that can take them on. All of this requires planning before a disaster occurs. CADRE provides a way for these agencies to collaborate and coordinate efforts before a disaster so they can work together efficiently and effectively during and after a crisis.

“Before the large disaster occurs, it is essential to build key relationships and have a common understanding of how all nonprofit organizations are going to assist the Silicon Valley community in its recovery after a major event,” said Barb Larson, CEO of the American Red Cross Silicon Valley Chapter. “Having a strong network of agencies participating in the CADRE network will ensure that we can better prepare for and respond to emergencies. The Red Cross is proud to provide support to this key network through a terrific partnership with Santa Clara County and United Way.”

While a disaster affects everyone in the community, some people are left particularly vulnerable. Individuals and families who already have life challenges or no personal support system are at greater risk, including those who are physically or mentally challenged, medically dependent, homeless, or recent immigrants. Services provided by community-based organizations are critical after a disaster to help people recover.

"Government can't do it alone. Nonprofit agencies provide many of the services that will be needed to help people get back on their feet after a disaster,” said David Kronberg, interim director for the Santa Clara County Office of Emergency Services. “Through the CADRE program, we are delighted to sponsor this partnership between United Way and Red Cross that will strengthen our local nonprofits in this mission."

In addition to United Way Silicon Valley and the American Red Cross, CADRE is made up of nearly 300 nonprofits and community service providers, including Second Harvest Food Bank, Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County, EHC LifeBuilders, InnVision The Way Home, Sacred Heart Community Service, and the Silicon Valley Community Foundation.

CADRE was formed 20 years ago and works closely with Santa Clara County’s emergency management community to prepare for disasters through communications, coordination and preparedness trainings, including regular workshops and an annual conference. These trainings and ongoing communications help prepare the CADRE network to continue service delivery during and after a disaster.

United Way Silicon Valley’s 2-1-1 Santa Clara County (2-1-1) provides a centralized resource to help the CADRE network keep the community and each other informed during a disaster. The three-digit phone number and website (www.211scc.org) provides critical information about services that are available, including shelter, food and water, as well as evacuations, road closures, and response and recovery efforts.

United Way Silicon Valley is focused on the building blocks for a good life: income, education and health. To drive positive change, United Way Silicon Valley helps people help themselves by identifying critical needs, mobilizing the caring power of the community, and aligning resources to achieve the best solutions. For more information about United Way Silicon Valley, visit www.uwsv.org.

American Red Cross Silicon Valley Chapter is a community-based, humanitarian organization that depends on the generous contributions of time and money from Santa Clara County residents and companies to provide services and programs that help our community prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. For more information on disaster preparedness, health and safety classes, volunteer opportunities, and financial contributions, visit our website at www.siliconvalley-redcross.org or call us at 877.727.6771.