Cleaning up a flooded home
NECHAMA begins work in Atlanta on October 5, 2009
NECHAMA, meaning, “comfort”, is the only Jewish organization in the U.S. that helps storm victim’s cleanup their homes and businesses after they’ve been damaged by natural disasters. NECHAMA needs volunteers to help with the flood clean up. The cleanup work performed by NECHAMA volunteers involves debris and mud removal, cleaning and sanitizing homes.
Here is some information that may be helpful to you and your volunteers.
- NECHAMA works hard to maintain a safe work site. However, we must insist that all volunteers sign a waiver in order to work with us.
- We welcome volunteers of B’nai Mitzvah age and older (13). However, we require that children under the age of 16 be accompanied by an adult.
- While most of our work requires physical labor, there may be volunteer needs that do not require physical labor. That is yet to be determined. If you’re interested in volunteering for non-physical labor, please let us know.
- We appreciate people’s willingness to volunteer and recognize that there is a limited amount of time available. Due to scheduling issues, we prefer that NECHAMA volunteers commit to at least one day of work.
- NECHAMA is proud of its status as the only Jewish organization doing disaster cleanup work in the U.S. We honor our Jewish connection by helping our volunteers frame their experience as distinctly Jewish. We don’t proselytize or require prayer. However, we attempt to integrate NECHAMA’s work with fundamental Jewish values and principles.
As we continue our assessment of the damaged area, we will have further updates with regard to location and need. Thank you for your interest in NECHAMA. If you are able to volunteer your time or have questions, please contact Amy Cytron: acytron@nechama.org.