September is Disaster Preparedness Month, a time where U.S. residents are encouraged to take steps – both big and small – to prepare for emergencies and disasters, which are increasing in both cost and scope. This year’s theme is Preparedness Starts at Home, with organizations, including the federal government, offering ideas about creating a family emergency plan and more.
But “home” looks different for nonprofits, often the first responders when communities are in an emergency. Organizations, too, have to create emergency plans and build emergency supply kits, all while figuring out how to juggle rising insurance costs. And they often have to be ready to help the community as well as themselves.
This year, NeighborWorks® America is offering a free training to help nonprofits prepare for disasters with an Express Learning course, “Building Sustainability and Resilience: Key Approaches for Preparedness and Response.”
“Disasters are bigger, more common, costlier and inevitable,” explained Cormac Molloy, director of Sustainability and Resilience for NeighborWorks. “Disasters are also something we can mitigate with the right preparation.”
Molloy will be teaching the hourlong course, which will explore the role housing plays in addressing environmental stress, and how to live in safer, more sustainable homes. The session will include resources and incentives that can empower organizations to act as change agents in their communities. Participants will also gain insights into becoming a trusted community resource.
"We’ll talk about the scale of disasters in the U.S. as well as practical solutions for ‘home hardening’ and greater sustainability practices that will reduce costs and allow folks plan for the future,” Molloy said.
There are many ways community development can work to make communities more resilient. Housing counselors can help homeowners understand what key elements to look for in their homes like roofing, windows, and energy sources. Financial coaches can help the 37% of Americans who cannot afford a $400 emergency, should one arise, to build their savings. Affordable housing developers and operators can incorporate sustainable elements in their homes that increase resilience and may even reduce insurance and energy costs. CDFIs can serve as the lender residents need to prepare or respond to emergencies.
NeighborWorks hopes that by offering the class for free, more people both in and out of the network will be able to enroll -- and will start thinking about how to prepare for disasters and how to focus on sustainability.
The reason for offering the class is simple, Molloy said. "Everyone deserves to live in healthier, more affordable homes."
The course will be held Sept. 22 at 12 p.m. ET. Register today!
