May 2013
1 post
Court Ruling to Extend NYC's Hotel Program for...
On Wednesday, May 15th, State Court Judge Margaret A. Chan ruled that New York City must extend its Hotel Program for Superstorm Sandy evacuees beyond the cutoff date of May 31st.
This ruling has undoubtedly provided a great sense of relief for the hundreds of residents still displaced as a result of this disaster.
World Cares Center knows, firsthand, how difficult and long of a process home...
April 2013
2 posts
Masters of Disaster: the Resilient Teens behind...
It’s time to celebrate Global Youth Service Day, an annual event that engages our youth in volunteerism throughout the world. As we wrap up a week-long series of trainings for youth called, “Masters of Disasters: Emergency and Disaster Preparedness Training for Youth,” World Cares Center applauds all the dedicated teens we trained in Westchester, Staten Island, and the Rockaways. We also want...
5 tags
Concerned Citizens Make a Difference in Boston...
As we await more details on yesterday’s devastating bombing attack at the Boston Marathon, we at World Cares Center want to extend our deepest sympathies to the victims and their families. The city of Boston has endured a horrific crisis that harkens memories of the terrorist attacks of 9/11. There is still so much that needs to be uncovered about the specifics of the attack itself, but we...
March 2013
0 posts
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WCC Volunteers You Can Count On for the Long Haul
For some WCC volunteers, what started out as “pitching in” on weekends to cleanup and muck out homes in the months right after Hurricane Sandy, has become a long-term commitment to help homeowners rebuild. Homes have been gutted, cleaned out, and treated for mold, but many are in a waiting period while they ensure that mold does not regrow. There are many decisions that need to be made to...
February 2013
6 posts
5 tags
Rebuilding Borough by Borough Long Term Recovery...
World Cares Center continues to work with Long Term Recovery Committees throughout the boroughs of New York, including Staten Island, Brooklyn, Lower Manhattan, and the Rockaways. In the last two months, we’ve partner with Catholic Charities, local faith-based groups, the Red Cross, FEMA, and community members to write bylaws, assign committee work, and discuss the long-term impact and recovery...
Rally the Community. We’ve entered the Long Term...
World Cares Center (WCC) and its long-term partners, AmeriCares and New York Disaster Interfaith Services (NYDIS), have spent the months since Hurricane Sandy training and coordinating volunteers for the immediate recovery needs of housing, heat, food and water. As those basic disaster assistance needs are met, the more complex and specialized needs of rebuilding begin to get more attention and...
January 2013
6 posts
10 tags
The Added Benefits of Faith-Based and Corporate...
World Cares Center (WCC) has long partnered with faith-based organizations during times of disaster. Because of their strong connections to the communities they serve, faith-based organizations offer help that is homegrown, personal, and highly effective. They are a wonderful example of neighbors helping neighbors. Through our long-term partnership with the New York Disaster Interfaith Services...
9 tags
Governor Cuomo Unveils New Homeowner Grants for...
Governor Cuomo recently announced the New York State Disaster Homeownership Repair and Rebuilding Fund to supplement FEMA housing assistance grants. Through the Disaster Homeownership Repair and Rebuilding Fund, homeowners can qualify to receive an extra $10,000. The grants do not have to be repaid. Residents who live in the five boroughs of New York City or the counties of Westchester,...
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World Cares Center’s Lisa Orloff Talks Long Term...
As the long term recovery phase kicks in, homeowners across the Tri-State are experiencing the ongoing struggles associated with post-Sandy clean up and rebuilding. World Cares Center is hunkering down for the long term volunteerism that will go on in areas like the Rockaways and Staten Island. Inevitably, questions come up: How do we recruit and maintain volunteerism to help homeowners do the...
December 2012
6 posts
5 tags
Sandy Homeowners Must Prepare for Old Man Winter
We recently received some good advice about the importance of winterizing homes, from the New York Mortgage Coalition (NYMC), a nonprofit organization devoted to helping renters prepare for homeownership. As the cold weather takes hold, it’s crucial that homeowners safeguard against frozen pipes by draining them of water. This is one part of a process known as winterizing. Homeowners need to...
6 tags
Top 10 Tips for Homeowners Post-Sandy. Mold...
Last night, in cooperation with Assemblyman Matthew Titone, we sponsored a World Cares Center (WCC) Muck out & Mold Remediation Training for Homeowners in Staten Island at St. Margaret Mary Church. The training was led by our Staten Island Programs Manager, Michelle Bascome and our Leading and Managing Programs Manager, Marina Diaz. They were joined by Michael Corbett, Compliance Assistance...
8 tags
Coordinated Volunteer Efforts Build Success: An...
FACT #1: Community-based volunteers were critical to Katrina recovery efforts in New Orleans
FACT #2: Spontaneous, episodic volunteers are a vital component to post-Sandy recovery
FACT #3: Fact #1 and Fact #2 would not be possible without a coordinated volunteer effort
When we say coordinated, we mean volunteers who are trained, led by a team leader, and managed throughout a volunteer...
10 tags
Post-Sandy Muck Outs: A Homeowners Ally in the ...
Muck outs. They are the crucial first step to preparing a house for rebuilding and repairs post-Sandy. Undertaking a complete muck out will inhibit the growth of mold (a fungus) that can develop and grow unabated in homes that have experienced water damage. Mold growth is toxic and hazardous to your health. It can cause allergic reactions, respiratory effects, dermatitis, and the spread of...
Volunteer Now. “Project Warmth” Needs You.
The heart and soul of World Cares Center is our corps of volunteers. From far and wide, and everywhere in between, volunteers have come out to help distribute sleeping bags, do home needs assessments, and muck out homes in the Rockaways and Staten Island. Here’s a photo gallery of our wonderful, hard working volunteers in action: http://bit.ly/U6kEYw.
As the rebuilding efforts continue and we...
November 2012
7 posts
7 tags
Homeowners Can’t Go It Alone: Cooperative Clean...
Nowhere is the need for team work and coordinated volunteer efforts more apparent than in the weeks following hurricane Sandy, as homeowners take their first steps to clean up their homes in preparation for rebuilding. No homeowner can go it alone with such a daunting task. For some residents hardest hit by Sandy, their immediate needs remain basic necessities like heat, food, clothing, and...
Mandatory Evacuation in the Rockaways
FAR ROCKAWAY, QUEENS as of 10am this morning Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced the mandatory evacuation of four health care facilities in the Rockaways Tuesday.
While the Park Nursing Home, Surfside Manor Home for Adults, Ocean Promenade Nursing Center and Peninsula Center for Extended Care and Rehabilitation had been relying on generators in the wake of super storm Sandy. The Rockaways were...
13 tags
Seek Shelter as the Tri-State Braces for a...
The National Weather Service has issued a high wind warning from Wednesday afternoon to early morning Thursday; strong winds may be felt across Long Island, New York City, and Coastal Connecticut. The region may have to brace for continued property damage and safety hazards from downed trees and power lines. Safety precautions are crucial, especially for those already dealing with loss in the...
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We Need YOU: Volunteer to Rebuild and Clean Up...
World Cares Center (WCC) trains and coordinates volunteers and volunteer groups in response to Hurricane Sandy in New York and New Jersey and have launched online trainings on disaster volunteerism and management on our website (www.worldcares.org). WCC has extensive experience assisting with these relief efforts. When asked about WCC’s role in responding to New Jersey’s relief effort after...
October 2012
10 posts
10 tags
Prepare Now, Possibility of Huge Hit from...
Earlier this morning, the National Hurricane Center advised that Hurricane Sandy was moving toward the Northeast slowly, but could head up the East Coast this weekend. Maximum sustained winds are near 80 MPH with higher gusts. Sandy is currently a category one hurricane and could weaken or strengthen as it travels eastward. Wind and rainfall are two of the biggest hazards from Hurricane Sandy. ...
5 tags
The Taste of Southern Comfort Wins Top Honors at...
Khalid Baylor, named the Iron Skillet® Champion on Monday, October 22, 2012 at our 11th annual Iron Skillet® Cook Off, had guests elbowing each other out of the way to get a taste of his delectable fried chicken. Chef Baylor says it best when describing his approach to great cooking, “to prepare food is good, but to cook from the heart is better.” We know the simple act of eating nourishes our...
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The Annual Iron Skillet® Cook Off; Getting...
During an emergency or disaster situation there is very little time to stop, plan, and prepare for your response. You respond quickly, and you hope effectively, as you rely on what you know in that moment about emergency response. All too often, volunteers, local leaders, and neighbors aren’t coordinated effectively or don’t know how to get in touch with relief organizations that can help them. ...
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Meet Team Restaurant
In a world where gourmet food continues to spread beyond the walls of traditional restaurants to food trucks, pop-up restaurants, and farmer’s market stands, restaurant chefs continue to reinvent dishes. Often this means reimaining conventional ideas of food pairings, using new cooking techniques, and upgrading the dining environment to complement the food. Or they could just compete in our 11th...
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Meet Team Firehouse
World Cares Center is gearing up for our biggest event of the year – the 11th annual Iron Skillet® Cook Off on October 22, 2012 at Crimson Restaurant. We have five awesome firehouse chefs who will compete against five restaurant chefs in the hottest match-up in town.
Taking a page from the spirit of first responders everywhere, our team of firehouse chefs is culled from fire stations across the...
September 2012
12 posts
11 tags
Our 10-Year Partnership with Metronome...
Over the years, we’ve worked to train the emergency response community to prepare and recover from the unexpected. Luckily, for the last 10 years, we have benefited from the steady, generous support of the Metronome Hospitality Group for our annual fundraising event, the Iron Skillet® Cook Off. In a world of corporate upheaval, changing leadership, and economic stressors, this partnership with...
20 tags
The Iron Skillet® Cook Off is Heating Up Meet our...
Q: How does the emergency response community celebrate and have a good time?
A: In a big way of course — at the World Cares Center’s annual Iron Skillet® Cook Off — where the talented world of everyday heroes comes to compete and feast on the best food and drink in the city!
This year’s Iron Skillet® culinary competition has everyone all fired up! The competition will be held at...
13 tags
Mobile Apps: Bringing Critical Information to...
We hope by now you’ve heard about the importance of a Go Bag and have one to grab at a moment’s notice. Along with your water supply, flashlights, canned foods, and medical essentials, don’t forget your cell phone and charger. There are now a wide range of smartphone apps available to help you access important information alerts or give you emergency safety and medical advice on the go. Here...
11 tags
9/11 Remembrance AND ACTION
On the anniversary of 9/11, World Cares Center remembers the sacrifice and leadership that people across the country and world made as crisis forced them to become extraordinary first responders. World Cares Center was formed in the aftermath of the September 11th attacks to bring effective action to tackle the most formidable emergencies. We continue to believe that the best action we can...
12 tags
Honor Grandparents Day: Emergency Preparedness...
As we celebrated National Grandparents Day on September 9th, it gives us all an opportunity to give back to our cherished, older family members by making sure they are prepared for emergencies and continuing to function safely in the kitchen. At World Cares Center, we believe that all members of a community need to be prepared in order to fortify neighborhoods in times of crisis. So, we’ve...
15 tags
Getting Kids Schooled in Emergency Preparedness
Kids have started or are getting ready for school this week. By now, parents have purchased their annual long list of school supply essentials - new lunch boxes, notebooks, pencils, and glue sticks. But kids need to be just as prepared for emergency situations. Since September is National Preparedness month, World Cares Center wants to help our kids get in the act. World Cares Center helps...
