NECHAMA - Jewish Response to Disaster
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February 29, 2012
I really like that i can work with my family with NECHAMA. I have been to 3 tornado clean ups and 1 flood clean up. i really like it when the people who own the house thank us and smile because they have their house back.
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Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
A lot
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Quite well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
February 29, 2012
I serve as the Assistant Director for The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services of Minnesota & North Dakota. I can say without a doubt, that the work of Nechama is nothing less than outstanding. You wouldn't know that they are a small agency with few resources, because they travel the entire country bringing relief and hope to those communities in need. I am proud of the work they do. Collaborating together, Nechama, The Salvation Army, and our other VOAD partners are able to solve complex problems to unforeseen challenges. When they are not responding to disasters, they are actively involved in training and other preparedness related activities with their government and non-government partners.
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How does this organization compare with others in the same sector?
Very Well
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
Will you recommend this organization to others?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
February 29, 2012
I had the privilege of working with NECHAMA in the spring of 2010 when flood waters ravaged Rhode Island. The entire organization, from the top down, is wonderful, but the real stars are the crews in the field. Dan Hoeft and Seth Gardner were the crew chiefs during NECHAMA's deployment in RI. First of all, these guys really know their stuff when it comes to the mechanics and logistics of flood remediation. As a bonus, Dan and Seth also have fantastic people skills. It was clear from the first day that Dan and Seth cared deeply for both the flood victims AND the volunteers who turned out to help. Many times I observed Dan quietly reassuring flood victims, some of whom were having their entire lives carted out to the curb. As far as possible, the job was never done at the expense of a client's emotional well-being. Volunteers worked hard but nobody got hurt. We were encouraged to try out new tools and new skills. I found that I have a natural affinity for swinging a sledgehammer. One of Dan's greatest assets is his sense of humor. It was an emotional time but our ability to laugh at ourselves (and not at others) helped make the experience great. It was an honor to work with Dan, Seth, the volunteer crew (Chad and Dave) from Minnesota, and the entire NECHAMA organization.
Photos
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Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
Life-changing
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
February 28, 2012
I enjoy working with NECHAMA because I feel fulfilled with the kind of work that we do. I enjoy working with the equipment, the staff, volunteers but mostly, helping those who are in need.
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Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
A lot
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Quite well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
February 27, 2012
I first came to NECHAMA as an unwilling volunteer at the age of 16. Packed off on a deployment to St. Peter, MN in 1998, I actually had a horrible time. But some part of me must of loved it, because all through college I came back and back again. After college, I went to work for the organization and spent 5 years with them. I've now engaged with NECHAMA as a volunteer, an employee, a donor, and now as a partner in the field of disaster response/emergency management and there are few organizations that make such an impact. Foremost in my mind is NECHAMA's focus on the mission: providing comfort to disaster survivors. They have been flexible in the field, always pivoting to meet the needs they see. They have been a critical part of disaster response in the upper midwest, and a key partner to the other organizations and government agencies they have worked with. And finally, for me, they were a critical connection to a Judaism that I hadn't mattered to me before I worked with them. Today, I am a disaster response/emergency management professional and a Jew because of NECHAMA.
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How does this organization compare with others in the same sector?
Very Well
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
Will you recommend this organization to others?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
February 27, 2012
I have volunteered with NECHAMA on multiple occasions and have found the experience rewarding each and every time. Knowing almost nothing about emergency management and even less about cleaning up following floods or tornadoes, NECHAMA offered me the chance to travel with them and they taught me what I needed to know as we progressed through the cleanup process. Everything was done with safety in mind and most importantly, was done to assist the homeowners with nothing expected in return. After a short time, NECHAMA had me leading teams of volunteers in these efforts as I had gained enough knowledge to become a leader in the process. This organization is built solely on giving back to those most in need and is one that excels at doing just that. I have become a professional in this field since my time volunteering there thanks to their efforts.
More feedback...
How does this organization compare with others in the same sector?
Very Well
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
Will you recommend this organization to others?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
February 27, 2012
NECHAMA helped our non-profit when our area was hit by a severe tornado-like storm. We called and they were there at dawn with chainsaws and skilled volunteers, clearing our road and helping us put our facility back in working order so we could open the doors to our clients. They are well-organized and easy to work with.
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How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
A lot
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
February 27, 2012
Stayed/Worked with them during the Nashville flood cleanup of 2010. The job included standard flood cleanup jobs. Gut, remove debris, sanitize. Nechama was easier to work with than most other groups I've worked with. Great bunch of people, knew their stuff, and had the tools to get the job done. I guess their biggest weakness is the lack of manpower. Disaster relief is expensive, so they relied heavily on volunteers for their labor force. However, even when the work force wasn't there, they got the job done. I was working with 3 other people on a job site of clearing a basement. We were exhausted and just wanted the day to be over. Not one of us quit until that basement was cleared out (the moldy insulation was already effecting the homeowner). Another point that I really liked about Nechama was that they did not push their religion onto me as so many other religious groups tend to do. I'm Catholic, they are Jewish based, it didn't matter at all and I actually learned a lot about Judaism over those three weeks. One more point that always stands out after these trips are the amount of thank you's that you receive from people. Nechama is helping the elderly and the poor move on from an extremely traumatic experience. Without Nechama, they would likely be in the same positions a year later, with no way of cleaning out their house on their own. These people have fallen through the cracks of society's safety net, and Nechama was there to catch them.
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
Life-changing
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
February 26, 2012
NECHAMA is one of the world's best kept secrets that should get out. As victims of the RI floods of 2010, we were,for the first time in our lives, on the receiving, instead of the giving, end of disaster relief. To say we were overwhelmed and shocked with the 12" of water that kept seeping into our finished basement, as a result of the freak flood, is putting it mildly. Along came Dan Hoeft and his crew, who knew just what to do and came prepared with every pump, tool, and even cleaning supplies to get us on the road to recovery. They worked tirelessly for two days at my house and came back the next day and helped my neighbor. I praise their skill, compassion, and advice and am so thankful for their help. What a smooth non-profit organization they are!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
flood disaster relief in my home.
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How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
A lot
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
How did you find this group?
Through the Jewish Federation of RI, Marty Cooper, a friend.
February 24, 2012
I have worked with NECHAMA on several occasions over the past 4 or 5 years and find them to be top notch in disaster response. I have come to rely on them as a primary partner in every disaster I have managed. Keep up the great work and I look forward to working with you again in 2012 and many years beyond.
More feedback...
How does this organization compare with others in the same sector?
Very Well
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
Will you recommend this organization to others?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
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