by Daniel Altenau, Director of Communications & Disaster Services, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Raleigh
At Catholic Charities, disaster response is not a seasonal operation. It is a year-round commitment rooted in the belief that showing up for our neighbors begins long before a storm makes landfall and continues long after the floodwaters recede.
We often say that we are present before, during, and after disasters. While the work that often gets covered by news outlets is what occurs during and after a disaster, we recognize the importance of efforts to prepare and build resilience before a disaster, often called “blue sky times.” This is the foundation that shortens recovery time, protects lives, and helps vulnerable communities weather future storms with greater confidence.
During these blue sky periods, our team trains volunteers in essential roles such as community canvassing, operating mobile Points of Distribution (PODs), and even running our mobile laundry trailer to serve families without power or clean water. We also provide training for community partners in the often-overlooked field of Disaster Case Management, a service that becomes vital once recovery begins.
Preparedness isn’t just about logistics; it’s about empowerment. That’s why we also work directly with families to help them understand their flood risk, identify evacuation routes, and prepare their homes, down to the simple but crucial steps of protecting windows and securing important documents.
As we focus on preparedness, we value the importance of community engagement to truly be successful. It takes a village to respond to and recover from a disaster and now is the time to build trust with each other so working together comes naturally after a storm. Each summer, we participate in Disaster Preparedness Expos hosted by Long Term Recovery Groups across eastern North Carolina, collaborating with other nonprofits, government agencies, and private organizations. These events give us an opportunity to connect with residents face-to-face, answer questions, and establish relationships long before crisis strikes.
We also work with broader coalitions such as North Carolina VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster) and the North Carolina Inclusive Disaster Recovery Network (NCIDR) to identify gaps in services and leverage resources to prevent families from being left behind in the response and recovery process.
Additionally, as the scale and frequency of disasters continue to grow, we’ve learned to think creatively about how recovery happens. That means looking beyond traditional models and forming non-traditional partnerships, because building resilience takes all of us.
For Catholic Charities, disaster response is not simply a program area, it is an expression of our mission to provide help and create hope for our most vulnerable neighbors. Our approach is to be the tent that doesn’t pack up when the cameras roll out of town because this is our community that we care so deeply about. Whether preparing families for hurricane season, deploying staff to distribute emergency supplies, or helping a household rebuild long after the headlines fade, we remain committed to showing up, standing with, and walking alongside our neighbors every step of the way.
Pictured: Hurricane Florence response, September, 2018.
The Undercurrent is a platform for diverse perspectives across the nonprofit sector. Views expressed in guest posts are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Harrelson Center, its staff, Board or Partners.
