Skip to main content

“For now we see in a mirror, dimly.” — 1 Corinthians 13:12

Volunteer Opportunities

Hurricane Sandy response

Volunteer work teams may be needed to help in areas affected by Hurricane Sandy. Presbyterians are known for their presence when the media has moved on – when help is needed with recovery and rebuilding. Choose New Jersey or New York below to see where opportunities exist in response to this superstorm.

AL | AZ | AR | FL | IN | LA | MD | MO | NJ | ND | NY | PA | TN | TX | WV

Find volunteer hosting locations using this interactive map →

Group photo of volunteers from First Presbyterian Church of Pontiac, Michigan

First Presbyterian Church of Pontiac, Michigan, on one of their 14 mission trips to the U.S. gulf coast for hurricane recovery. Photo by Julie Smith.

United States disaster recovery volunteer sites

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) offers short term disaster recovery mission trip opportunities in a variety of locations. PDA’s commitment to long-term recovery means there are volunteers needed in locations that are no longer in the media headlines. Please consider gathering a volunteer work team to help families rebuild and restore their homes, or to do other disaster recovery work. Each site is managed separately; use the contact information listed for questions about work, lodging and other needs.

International volunteers

PDA does not promote volunteers serving in international disaster situations.  Volunteers should keep in mind that international relief work is a profession – and that it takes unique individuals who speak the language, know the culture, and can work effectively in incredibly difficult conditions.  For information on international disaster response, visit the Center for International Disaster Information’s Web site or read about Volunteers for Prosperity, a volunteer program managed by USAID. 

Local Volunteers — In many disaster situations, need for volunteer response is met by local neighbors, and work teams from outside the area are not requested. This listing of volunteer opportunities does not include those communities where the need is being met by local volunteers.

Resources for Work Teams

Before your trip

After your trip

Tell us your mission story! 

Oswego group

Thirteen volunteers from Blackhawk Presbytery (northern Illinois) went on a disaster recovery mission trip to Joplin, Missouri, May 13-18, 2012. Ken Mozingo provided this this photo of the team and he shares, “An EF5-rated tornado touched down on May 22, 2011 and destroyed one third of Joplin. Winds at 225 mile-per-hour caused complete destruction in its path that was one mile wide and seven miles long. 162 people were killed. 8,000 homes were destroyed. An eight-story concrete hospital was twisted 4 ½ inches on its foundation. People were literally blown out of its windows. Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) in Joplin linked this group of 13 to work with "Hammers and Hearts", a relief organization dedicated to using volunteers to help financially-strapped tornado victims rebuild badly damaged or destroyed homes. First Presbyterian Church of Joplin provided lodging for the group.”

Alabama

Tornado response

First Presbyterian Church of Sheffield is hosting volunteers in response to April 2011 tornadoes, serving in Franklin and Marion Counties.  Volunteers with construction and finishing skills and helpers are needed to assist with repair and rebuilding.

  • Contact the PDA Call Center at (866) 732-6121, or send your phone number and details about your interest by email to the PDA Call Center.
  • Minimum age 18 (or obtain approval of the host committee with proper chaperones)
  • Maximum number of volunteers: 15

First Presbyterian Church of Tuscaloosa is hosting volunteers in response to the April 2011 tornado.  Work will primarily be rebuilding damaged and destroyed homes. 

  • Contact the PDA Call Center at (866) 732-6121, or send your phone number and details about your interest by email to the PDA Call Center.
  • Minimum age 16; youth to adult ratio: 5 to 1
  • Team size 3-25 volunteers

Please note: First Presbyterian Church Tuscaloosa has partnered with Habitat for Humanity of Tuscaloosa (HFHT) in this response, and volunteers hosted by First Presbyterian will be working on HFHT projects. HFHT is requesting an additional donation from each volunteer to help cover a portion of the costs associated with the rebuilding effort. Please discuss this with the PDA Call Center if you are interested in this site.

First United Presbyterian Church of Forestdale in Birmingham is hosting volunteers in response to the April 2011 tornado until June 30, 2013.  Work will include housing repair and construction, in some cases including debris clearing and demolition. 

  • Contact the PDA Call Center at (866) 732-6121, or send your phone number and details about your interest by email to the PDA Call Center.
  • Minimum age 14; at least 20 percent of volunteers must be adults
  • Watch a presentation on the work in Birmingham. Click here, then choose “Save” to download the powerpoint Powerpoint icon

Presbytery of North Alabama is working with the Cullman County Long Term Recovery Committee to help families affected by tornadoes in April 2011.  Several Baptist and Methodist churches in the county are serving as hosting sites.  First Presbyterian Church of Cullman is working in cooperation with the ecumenical group and is requesting the presence of Presbyterian work teams to help with recovery and rebuilding efforts.

  • Email Mel Brackman
  • Call Mel at (256) 339-8555 (7am-7pm CST)
  • Minimum age 16.  Volunteers under 21 should be accompanied by a 1:5 ratio of older adults

Jackson/DeKalb County Long Term Recovery Committee
Happy Home Pastorium (holds 15 volunteers) and Henagar Baptist Church (holds up to 50) are hosting volunteers in response to April 2011 tornadoes.  Volunteers with construction and finishing skills and helpers are needed to assist with repair and rebuilding.

  • Contact Ellen Ditto at (419) 233-3524, or send your phone number and details about your interest by email.
  • Minimum age 14 with parent 

Alaska

No PC(USA) disaster recovery work team opportunities at this time

Arizona

Southern Arizona - border ministry

No More Deaths
3809 East 3rd Street
Tucson, AZ 85716

  • Visit the No More Deaths web site for information about mission trips, donations, etc.
  • Email No More Deaths
  • (520) 307-7379
  • Individuals and small teams welcome
  • Training provided; minimum age 18 unless accompanied by an adult; Spanish or medical expertise helpful/not essential
  • Opportunity available for traveling teams during March and the summer program; local volunteers welcome year round

Needs: work in desert camps to reach out to migrants in distress as they cross the desert (food, water, basic medical aid); work at center for recently deported migrants in Nogales, Sonora (food, water, medical aid, abuse documentation)

Volunteers are needed to help with home repairs or recovery efforts that may not be disaster-related.

Arkansas

Volunteers needed at the Disaster Assistance Center

The Ferncliff Disaster Assistance Center in Little Rock, Arkansas, is one of the two processing locations for Church World Service Gift of the Heart Kits. Volunteers inspect kits that are received from churches around the country and help with receipting, checking, weighing, banding, palletizing and shrink wrapping in order to prepare the kits for shipment following a disaster.  Volunteers also help with a variety of projects that help prepare PDA equipment and resources that will be used by volunteer work teams serving in disaster recovery locations around the United States.  Participants may also work with other local mission agencies, especially if the work team is large.

Volunteer teams stay (and play) at the Ferncliff Presbyterian Camp and Conference Center.  Housing options/prices vary, including the Ferncreek Retreathouse that sleeps up to 25 (5 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, full kitchen) and hotel rooms with or without cooking facilities. 

  • Contact the PDA Call Center at (866) 732-6121, or send your phone number and details about your interest by email to the PDA Call Center.
  • Minimum age: high school (1 adult per 5 youth)
  • Possible opportunity for long term individual volunteers or couples (2-3 months)

California

No PC(USA) disaster recovery work team opportunities at this time

Colorado

No PC(USA) disaster recovery work team opportunities at this time

Connecticut

No PC(USA) disaster recovery work team opportunities at this time

Delaware

No PC(USA) disaster recovery work team opportunities at this time

District of Columbia

No PC(USA) disaster recovery work team opportunities at this time

Florida

Tropical Storm Debby response

United Way of Suwannee Valley is requesting volunteers in response to June 2012’s Tropical Storm Debby.  Teams are needed to help with basic construction work, including roofing and installation of sheet rock and flooring.  The hosting site is Victory Christian Teaching Ministry in Lake City.

  • Email United Way or call Rosy (386) 752-5604 x106 or Jenn (386) 752-5604 x101
  • Minimum age 18; or 16-17 years old with direct supervision
  • Maximum team size 25
  • Individuals welcome

Georgia

No PC(USA) disaster recovery work team opportunities at this time

Hawaii

No PC(USA) disaster recovery work team opportunities at this time

Idaho

No PC(USA) disaster recovery work team opportunities at this time

Illinois

No PC(USA) disaster recovery work team opportunities at this time

Indiana

Tornado Response

The Presbytery of Ohio Valley is working with Volunteers Rebuilding Our Community (VROC) to help rebuild homes destroyed by the March 2012 tornadoes in Henryville and other Southern Indiana towns.  Skilled and semi-skilled labor is needed. 

  • Register your team for work opportunities by calling Jack Cormack at (502) 727-7552,
    AND
  • Schedule lodging.  Check availability at one of the hosting sites using the contact information provided:
    1. Country Lake Retreat Center - email.  Tell Country Lake you are working with VROC
    2. PYOCA Presbyterian Camp – email Eden at the PDA Call Center or call (866) 732-6121
  • Minimum age 16

March 2 Recovery, a volunteer center operated by Metro United Way, is providing work assignments for volunteers interested in helping with tornado recovery in Henryville and surrounding areas. Volunteer work includes home rebuilding and repairs as well as cooking/kitchen work and warehousing. Meals are provided, but teams must arrange their own housing (see housing information below).

  • Register your team for work opportunities online or by calling (502) 599-8557,
    AND
  • Register your team for housing at the PYOCA Presbyterian Camp by calling (866) 732-6121 OR find a list of other housing options on the March2Recovery FAQ page.
  • Email the volunteer center for more information, or call (502) 599-8557
  • Read Frequently Asked Questions for M2R volunteers
  • Minimum age 16 for work sites
  • Individual volunteers welcome
  • Need willing volunteers and those with construction related skills

Iowa


No PC(USA) disaster recovery work team opportunities at this time

Kansas

No PC(USA) disaster recovery work team opportunities at this time

Kentucky

No PC(USA) disaster recovery work team opportunities at this time

Louisiana

2005 Hurricane Response

Presbytery of South Louisiana’s Project Homecoming, working in the Greater New Orleans Area, is rebuilding homes of the uninsured, underinsured, elderly and disabled. Volunteers responding to Hurricane Katrina (2005) are being hosted at the Olive Tree Presbyterian Volunteer Village in New Orleans.

Rebuilding Hope in New Orleans (RHINO) is an outreach ministry of St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church, working in New Orleans.

Maine

No PC(USA) disaster recovery work team opportunities at this time

Maryland

Home repair

N.A.I.L.S.
400 N. Mechanic St.
Cumberland, MD 21502

Volunteers are needed to help with home repairs or recovery efforts that may not be disaster-related.

Massachusetts

No PC(USA) disaster recovery work team opportunities at this time

Michigan

No PC(USA) disaster recovery work team opportunities at this time

Minnesota

No PC(USA) disaster recovery work team opportunities at this time

Mississippi

No PC(USA) disaster recovery work team opportunities at this time

Missouri

Tornado Response

ShoalKirk Retreat Center continues to host small work teams helping with response to the May 2011 tornado.   First Presbyterian Church of Joplin will finish hosting in August 2013. These are hosting sites only, so interested teams will need to make separate arrangements for work assignments.

Please follow the 2-step directions below to ensure your work team has housing and a work assignment:

  • Register your team for housing. Call (866) 732-6121.
  • Register your team for volunteer opportunities – visit the Rebuild Joplin web page and click on “I want to Volunteer”.

Montana

No PC(USA) disaster recovery work team opportunities at this time

Nebraska

No PC(USA) disaster recovery work team opportunities at this time

Nevada

No PC(USA) disaster recovery work team opportunities at this time

New Hampshire

No PC(USA) disaster recovery work team opportunities at this time

New Jersey

Hurricane Sandy response

Absecon Presbyterian Church will be hosting volunteers in response to October 2012’s Hurricane Sandy.  

  • Contact the PDA Call Center at (866) 732-6121 for details
  • Minimum age 18 unless accompanied by parent.  Minimum ratio of 1 adult to every youth under 20
  • Maximum group size 20 volunteers during summer months and 9 volunteers year round

Morning Star Presbyterian Church in Bayville will be hosting volunteers in response to October 2012’s Hurricane Sandy beginning mid May 2013.  Help is needed with cleanup of homes, home sites, and local churches and with general home repairs and rebuilding. Group members must be 14 years or older with a maximum group size of 30 volunteers.  Volunteers are asked to bring air mattresses.

Presbyterian Church of Chatham Township will be hosting volunteers in response to October 2012’s Hurricane Sandy.  

  • Contact the PDA Call Center at (866) 732-6121 for details
  • Minimum age 16; youth to adult ratio 5 to 1
  • Hosting summer 2013 only, May 26 – August 30
  • Maximum Group size 30

First Presbyterian Church of Elizabeth will be hosting volunteers in response to October 2012’s Hurricane Sandy beginning May 2013.  Help is needed with cleanup of homes, home sites, and local churches and with general home repairs and rebuilding. 

First Presbyterian Church of Hamilton Square will be hosting volunteers in response to October 2012’s Hurricane Sandy.  

  • Contact the PDA Call Center at (866) 732-6121 for details
  • Minimum age 14; youth to adult ratio 4 to 1
  • Maximum Group size 16
  • Volunteers need to bring linens (twin XL bed mattresses on site.)

Forked River Presbyterian Church will be hosting volunteers in response to October 2012’s Hurricane Sandy.  

  • Contact the PDA Call Center at (866) 732-6121 for details
  • Minimum age 18; youth to adult ratio 5 to 1
  • Maximum group size 12

First Presbyterian Church of Matawan will offer Christian hospitality to church volunteer work groups and organized volunteer groups desiring to come to the area to participate in restoration and rebuilding efforts at the Jersey Shore. 

  • Contact the PDA Call Center at (866) 732-6121, or send your phone number and details about your interest by email to the PDA Call Center. 
  • Hosting June 15 – Labor Day, 2013
  • Minimum age 18
  • Maximum group size 15

Point Pleasant Presbyterian Church will be hosting volunteers in response to October 2012’s Hurricane Sandy.  Point Pleasant Presbyterian Church will offer Christian hospitality to church volunteer work groups and organized volunteer groups desiring to come to Point Pleasant Beach and participate in restoration and rebuilding efforts at the Jersey Shore.

  • Contact the PDA Call Center at (866) 732-6121 for details
  • Minimum age 14; youth ages 14-17 to adult ratio 5 to 1
  • Maximum group size 36
  • Mostly full for summer months; taking reservations for Fall 2013 

First Presbyterian Church at Red Bank will be hosting volunteers in response to October 2012’s Hurricane Sandy.  

  • Contact the PDA Call Center at (866) 732-6121 for details
  • Minimum age 16; No more than 20% of team can be youth
  • Hosting summer only, June 1 – September 6
  • Maximum Group size 20

The PDA Call Center continues to accept calls from those interested in serving in Hurricane Sandy affected areas.  Teams will be contacted when additional volunteer opportunities are identified.  Call (866) 732-6121 or send your phone number and details about your interest by email to the PDA Call Center.

New Mexico

No PC(USA) disaster recovery work team opportunities at this time

New York

Hurricane Sandy response

Olivet Presbyterian Church in Staten Island will be hosting volunteers in response to October 2012’s Hurricane Sandy.  

  • Contact the PDA Call Center at (866) 732-6121 for details
  • Minimum age 16; youth to adult ratio 4 to 1
  • Maximum Group size 10

First Presbyterian Church in Jamaica is hosting volunteers in response to October 2012’s Hurricane Sandy.  Help is needed with cleanup of homes, home sites, and local churches and with general home repairs and rebuilding. 


Please note that at this time, teams are still requested in New York and Pennsylvania in response to Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee (fall 2011).  Presbyterians are well known for their presence and willingness to serve even after the media fades, participating in long term recovery and rebuilding efforts.  Please consider discussing those opportunities with the Call Center.

Flood Response – Hurricane Irene/Tropical Storm Lee

First Presbyterian Church of Endicott is hosting volunteers in response to September 2011 flooding caused by Hurricane Irene & Tropical Storm Lee in the Greater Binghamton area. Work in the early response timeframe will be mucking out, tearing out, power washing and sanitizing,  with transitioning to skilled labor later in the process.

            • Email First Presbyterian Church
            • (607) 748-1544
            • Minimum age: high school and older; youth to adult ratio: 5 to 1
            • Team size: 5-20 volunteers with at least one skilled leader

First Presbyterian Church of Johnson City is hosting volunteers in response to fall 2011 flooding in the Greater Binghamton area. Work during the early response will be mucking out, with later assistance needed in rebuilding.

            • Contact the PDA Call Center at (866) 732-6121, or send your phone number and details about your interest by email to the PDA Call Center.
            • Youth to adult ratio: 3 to 1

North Carolina

No PC(USA) disaster recovery work team opportunities at this time

North Dakota

Flood response

HOPE Village in Minot, North Dakota, is a multi-denominational hosting site for work teams willing to help clean out and rebuild homes damaged during summer 2011 flooding. HOPE Village operates April – September. Other hosting sites are available during other seasons.

Spirit Lake Sioux Reservation/Bdecan Presbyterian Church Projects
Bdecan Presbyterian Church, the only Indian Presbyterian Church in North Dakota, is located on the Spirit Lake Sioux Reservation in north central North Dakota. To find out how your team can help, or visit the Lake Region Parish Web site and click on Bdecan Presbyterian Church to find a mission team application. 

Volunteers are needed to help with home repairs or recovery efforts that may not be disaster-related.

Ohio

No PC(USA) disaster recovery work team opportunities at this time

Oklahoma

No PC(USA) disaster recovery work team opportunities at this time

Oregon

No PC(USA) disaster recovery work team opportunities at this time

Pennsylvania

Tropical Storm Lee flooding response

Montoursville Presbyterian Church is hosting teams in response to flooding caused by September 2011’s Tropical Storm Lee.

            • Contact the PDA Call Center at (866) 732-6121, or send your phone number and details about your interest by email to the PDA Call Center.
            • Minimum age 14.  Youth to adult ratio: 3 to 1
            • Can accommodate up to 12 volunteers

First Presbyterian Church of Towanda and Trinity Lutheran church are working together to host volunteers in response to flooding caused by September 2011’s Tropical Storm Lee. Volunteers are needed mainly for finishing work such as drywall and painting.

            • Contact the PDA Call Center at (866) 732-6121, or send your phone number and details about your interest by email to the PDA Call Center.
            • Minimum age 16
            • Watch a presentation on the work in Pennsylvania. Click here, then choose “Save” to download the powerpoint Powerpoint icon

Rhode Island

No PC(USA) disaster recovery work team opportunities at this time

South Carolina

No PC(USA) disaster recovery work team opportunities at this time

South Dakota

No PC(USA) disaster recovery work team opportunities at this time

Tennessee

Flooding Response

Westminster Presbyterian Church, Nashville, has been hosting teams in response to spring 2010 flooding. The work is primarily finishing work, including painting, framing, and installation of insulation, drywall, floors, fixtures and doors. At this time experienced teams are needed, rather than college or youth teams.

Texas

Wildfire Response

Faith Village is an ecumenical partnership that is hosting volunteers in Smithville, Texas, in response to September 2011 wildfires in Bastrop County.  More than 1,600 homes were destroyed by the fires.  Help is needed with debris removal and construction, and rebuilding is usually from the ground up.  Mission Presbytery is a partner in the operation of Faith Village, and volunteers will be hosted at the First Baptist Church in Smithville. 

Hurricane Alex response

First Presbyterian Church of Mission, Texas, is hosting teams willing to help families in the Rio Grande Valley with clean up and rebuilding. Carpentry and plumbing skills are helpful.

A visit and education about the border area can be arranged, depending on schedules.

                • Email Bob Sherwood
                • (956) 330-2332
                • Teams of adults and senior or junior high students with supervision are welcome

Utah

No PC(USA) disaster recovery work team opportunities at this time

Vermont

No PC(USA) disaster recovery work team opportunities at this time

Virginia

No PC(USA) disaster recovery work team opportunities at this time

Washington

No PC(USA) disaster recovery work team opportunities at this time

West Virginia

Flood response

West Virginia Ministry of Advocacy & Workcamps, Inc. (WVMAW)
PO Box 338
Nettie, WV 26681

Needs: reconstruction of homes and churches

Local volunteers are needed in several counties of West Virginia to help remove snow and volunteer in shelters. There is a need for generators. If you can help please email Jenny Gannaway. At this time we are not requesting volunteers who will need housing.

Wisconsin

No PC(USA) disaster recovery work team opportunities at this time

Wyoming

No PC(USA) disaster recovery work team opportunities at this time

Tags: