Support Your Community in the Recovery Process

Whether big or small, the best disaster recovery starts in the impacted communities – and that means you can play a major part in quickly bouncing back better than before.

Through the Volunteer Coordination Program, local citizens can play a big role in the recovery process. Whether you’re repairing property with a local, regional, or national volunteer agency, assisting your neighbors with a Long-Term Recovery Committee, or donating your monetary resources to the recovery effort, volunteers make all the difference. 

Join the Action with Kentucky Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters

From first response through final recovery, Kentucky Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (Kentucky VOAD) brings together organizations from across the state to provide assistance in the form of temporary shelter, food, property repairs, and replacement of personal property. 

Lead the Charge with a Long-Term Recovery Group

At the local level, Long Term Recovery Groups assist disaster-affected citizens on the road to recovery. Using community resources, these groups of volunteers help address the unmet needs of disaster survivors.

Support Recovery the Right Way

Do you want to donate your time or resources to help the recovery process? Read more about the best ways to help communities regain their footing.

Volunteer Your Time to Help Communities Recover

Before showing up in a disaster area, register with a recognized volunteer agency. Affiliating yourself with a volunteer agency helps you find housing accommodations and manage liability insurance. Without affiliation, you’ll be responsible for finding your own housing and getting your own insurance.

By working through an official volunteer group, your efforts can be tracked and recognized by local and state emergency managers — helping communities unlock additional federal aid and resources. When you're affiliated, your time makes a bigger impact.

Remember that as a volunteer, you are most useful when you’re doing what you’re assigned. Recovery work is not always glamorous, but by committing yourself to fitting within the plans that have been made by the volunteer agencies, you’ll make a difference for communities in the recovery process.

Want to get connected with a volunteer agency? Kentucky VOAD or KYEM's Volunteer Coordinator can help you find one.

Find Out What Resources are Needed

More often than not, cash donations are the best way to help. They allow professional relief organizations to buy exactly what is needed, while supporting the local economy near the disaster area. 

If choosing to donate goods, find a reliable relief organization that is willing to receive a shipment and transport them to the disaster site. Always sort and label your donations and avoid sending unrequested items. 

Join the Recovery Effort

Support local communities as they rebuild after a disaster. Contact the Volunteer Coordinator to find out how you can get involved.