Category: Partnership

ACS Participates in National VOAD Conference

Post author By acs_admin
Post date May 25, 2022

Adventist Community Services was one of 70 national member organizations that participated in the annual National VOAD Conference held from May 2-5, 2022, at the Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel in Baltimore, Maryland. The theme for this year was “Empowering Resiliency”. Despite having not met in person since 2019, the 2022 Conference was well attended with over 700 people attendees, including around 350 first-time attendees. ACS leaders from the North Pacific Union Conference, and Texas, Georgia-Cumberland, Allegheny East, and Chesapeake conferences joined the NAD ACS team at the event. For some of us who were first-time attendees, the First Timer Orientation Session gave an insight on the VOAD Community and the role of the network within the disaster community.

The mission and purpose of National VOAD (National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster) is to provide a forum where organizations can gather to collaborate and network, sharing knowledge and resources, to effectively assist communities affected by disaster. ACS is one of the few original founding members of National VOAD which was founded in 1970 when seven voluntary organizations convened together to discuss how to improve responses following Hurricane Camille in August 1969.

There were fifty exhibitors and sponsors. Besides ACS, the exhibit hall was filled with booth displays from several other faith-based disaster response and relief organizations such as FEMA, American Red Cross, Islamic Relief USA, Salvation Army, Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, Mennonite Disaster Services, Good360, and United Methodist Committee on Relief, and etc. We had ACS volunteers from the Chesapeake and Allegheny East conferences who helped us out by managing the ACS exhibit and educating people on our services.

In addition to the exhibit, the other highlights of the conference consisted of various plenary sessions, interactive workshops, and networking opportunities.

W. Derrick Lea taking a moment to stop by at our exhibit before the meetings begin.

We began each day with a prayer and a brief meeting with the ACS personnel who participated in the conference.

Colette and Wynelle visiting the Liv-Connected exhibit. They specialize in designing elegant, effortlessly customizable modular and tiny homes.

Colette and Wynelle visiting with some of the best disaster response volunteers out there from the HOPE Animal-Assisted Crisis Response.

Click here to view more photos from the event.

ADRA Disaster Response Donations NEWS Partnership

ACS on Standby to Assist in Haiti Earthquake Relief

Post author By acs_admin
Post date August 18, 2021

UPDATE – August 24, 2021

ADRA is on the ground assisting with the Recovery Efforts in response to the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti few days ago. A needs assessment was conducted which reveals that food, shelter, and hygiene kits are the three basic needs. All the humanitarian items that are being distributed to the affected communities are bought in Haiti which is quicker, cheaper, and supports the local economy.

While these efforts continue to take place, ACS teams within the North American Division such as the Texas Conference are finding productive ways to support the work. They have partnered with Reach Out America to send 16 pallets of various items to Haiti, such as new clothing, shoes, blankets, hygiene kits, and clean-up buckets. UPS is supplying a 747 jumbo-jet to transport these items.

If you would like to help, ADRA International is requesting monetary donations at this time, given the hardship of sending supplies overseas. All financial support given to ADRA International will go directly to the local response team, ADRA Haiti, who has been the lead of this current effort.

Let us continue to remember those who have lost loved ones and have been affected by this tragedy, in our prayers.

On August 14, 2021, a magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck Haiti approximately 78 miles (128 km) west of the capital city, Port-au-Prince, with a 6.2 miles (10 km) depth. The U.S. Geological Survey estimates “high casualties are probable and significant damage is likely” with the number of deaths currently estimated in the hundreds and thousands injured, making it the deadliest earthquake of 2021.

While ACS teams respond to disasters and crisis events within the North American Division, history shows us that many of our members are affected by such types of occurrences in the Inter-American Division as they have family and friends that reside there. Given this reality, we are in communication with our colleagues at the Inter-American Division, ADRA International, and ADRA Haiti to ascertain the needs on the ground and determine how we can be of assistance.

Even though ADRA is the responding organization for the Seventh-day Adventist Church, some of our conferences are standing at the ready to supplement and support their efforts as needed. The NAD ACS leadership is in discussion with these conferences such as Northeastern that have expressed concern and their willingness to render aid. Currently, a needs assessment is being conducted in the affected areas. The earthquake has left behind thousands injured, and many hospitals and clinics overwhelmed. ADRA is working in collaboration with these institutions to meet needs support requested such as transportation, food, medication, and other supplies.

Please keep those affected by this tragic event and the responders in your prayers.

Read the latest update by ADRA International.

People search through the rubble of a Hotel after an earthquake hit on August 14, 2021 in Les Cayes, southwest Haiti.
AFP via Getty Images

Educational Events Partnership

Nonprofit Leadership Certification Program 2021

Post author By acs_admin
Post date August 10, 2021

The Nonprofit Leadership Certification Program (NLCP) 2021 was held in Orlando, Florida, from August 2-4 (Monday – Wednesday). It was co-sponsored by the North American Division Adventist Community Services (NAD ACS) in partnership with Adventist-laymen’s Services and Industries (ASI), Andrews University, Central California Conference, and Human Resources of the General Conference. The program was well-attended by over 40 participants from around the North American Division. We had a diverse group that consisted of ACS directors, conference and church leaders, pastors, leaders involved in various ministries, and those interested in starting a non-profit organization.

The workshops included topics on urban ministry, cross-cultural ministry, conflict management, marketing and communications, volunteer engagement, and inspirational, impactful, and strategic leadership. Participants were also given opportunities to network and engage in discussion with one another. “Being able to engage in conversation with people of similar interests and passion for non-profit leadership is very enlightening,” one participant said. Another said that this was his first time attending the NLCP and loved everything about it.

Emotional & Spiritual Care Food Aid Local Conference NEWS Partnership

ACS Responds to Mass Shooting in Colorado

Post author By acs_admin
Post date March 23, 2021

BOULDER, CO - MARCH 22: Healthcare workers walk out of a King Sooper's Grocery store after a gunman opened fire on March 22, 2021 in Boulder, Colorado. Dozens of police responded to the afternoon shooting in which at least one witness described three people who appeared to be wounded, according to published reports. (Photo by Chet Strange/Getty Images))

On Monday, March 22, a gunman opened fire at a supermarket in Boulder, Colorado, leaving ten people dead. Among the casualties was a police officer who was responding to this heinous act of violence. Derrick Lea, North American Division ACS Disaster Response director, has been in communication with Cathy Kissner, Rocky Mountain Conference ACS director, the Emergency Management in Boulder, Colorado VOAD, and other associated entities to discuss a plan as to how we can render assistance to the affected community. We have been requested to serve by filling the role of providing emotional and spiritual care. The local ACS team has selected some individuals who have been trained and equipped for this task. We’ve also communicated with the local Adventist church in Boulder, informing them of the resources we can provide. Additionally, we’re working with Salvation Army that has been asked to distribute food to the community to see if we could partner with them.

“While the tragedy is one we had hoped would not happen again, the reality of these type of events is hitting us with more regularity. Our continuous desire is to be prepared for these type of crisis events and also ultimately represent the love of Christ in our acts of service to those hurting,” said Lea.

Click here to read the statement put out by the Rocky Mountain Conference.

Please remember the families who have lost loved ones, the survivors, as well as those who are responding to this tragedy.

Community Food Aid Partnership

ACS Extends Partnership with City Harvest

Post author By acs_admin
Post date February 16, 2021

The Adventist Community Services’ relationship with City Harvest expired on Jan. 31, 2021, but the work is continuing at another level. “We are now connected with FEMA through our City Harvest partnership,” said W. Derrick Lea, ACS Disaster Response director for the North American Division. City Harvest chose ACS because of its ability to disperse the goods they’ve received each Monday for the past nine months, reported Lea. The purchase of a 9 x 14 x 8 freezer in September 2020 has expanded the ACS warehouse’s ability to serve the community. In addition to receiving produce, this new agreement adds refrigerated, frozen and non-perishable items until the end of April 2021 — with the possibility of extension. “NAD was able to join our Greater New York and Northeastern conferences at the Bronx warehouse on Monday at 8 a.m. for the pallet delivery,” Lea said.

Read full article here.

COVID-19 Donations Health Partnership

ACS Accepts Face Mask Donations from AdventHealth

Post author By acs_admin
Post date February 3, 2021

As COVID-19 cases continue to surge across the nation, Adventist Community Services (ACS) Centers have been encouraged to provide personal protective equipment (PPE) to volunteers, staff, and community members. Face masks are one of the most essential supplies that are in great demand today.

AdventHealth in Florida recently donated 150,000 face masks to ACS for use in food pantries and other areas serving communities in need. These masks which are from AdventHealth’s donation-eligible stockpiles were distributed to the Florida, Texas, and Greater New York conferences. Each conference received one pallet of 50,000 masks which is valued at $6,000, totaling the retail price of the masks to be $18,000. In addition to the donation, the hospital also took care of all transportation costs. While keeping the primary focus on protecting front-line caregivers, AdventHealth is constantly evaluating the opportunity to help others.

“AdventHealth is blessed to have strong inventory levels that allow us to share these donation-eligible face masks, while ensuring our team members remain protected,” said Monty Jacobs, director of AdventHealth Global Missions. “Understanding that this is a challenging time for many families, we are grateful to Adventist Community Services for the opportunity to help safeguard the volunteers who provide warm meals, clothing and more to those who need it most.”

“We are so grateful to AdventHealth for their generous offer to Adventist Community Services (ACS), and look forward to distributing the Masks to our Food Pantry teams, those working in our Schools and Community Centers. Keeping ACS team members safe while serving is a responsibility we take seriously and this donation was an answer to our prayers,” stated Derrick Lea, disaster response director for North American Division Adventist Community Services.

ADRA Partnership

Partnering in Mission With ADRA

Post author By Laura
Post date May 14, 2020

The COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic is continuing to impact the U.S. economy, with over 36 million Americans filing for unemployment benefits. There are now more than 83,000 deaths and 1.3 million confirmed coronavirus cases in the U.S., according to the John Hopkins University data dashboard. USA Today reports that the virus has killed more than 296,000 people and infected more than 4.3 million worldwide. Several states across the nation have already started to ease restrictions and reopen some businesses.

North American Division Adventist Community Services (NAD ACS) is supporting the operations of our ACS food pantries within the Division, by investing 1.5 million dollars and allocating a grant of $25,000 per conference for relief efforts. We are excited to share that we are partnering with ADRA International who has committed $150,000 to support our food pantries who are serving families and communities amid the crisis. In addition, they are providing $2.3 million worth of medical consumables as gifts-in-kind and 426 boxes of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment).

W. Derrick Lea, NAD ACS Disaster Response Director, stated “We have teams that are working all over NAD to assist communities that are struggling to meet their needs. The Seventh-day Adventist Church’s two Disaster Response organizations, ACS and ADRA, are coming together for this effort to bring the entirety of our resources together to help in this unusual time of need. I’m excited at the prospect of seeing what these combined efforts will do both now and into the future.”

“The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting virtually every aspect of the ACS ministry and Adventist Church membership, from the division to unions and conferences to churches,” stated Sung Kwon, NAD ACS Executive Director. “The support of ADRA International has been much appreciated. We are thankful for their consideration and willingness to partner with ACS,” said Kwon. “This is not the end of the pandemic. It will remain with us, and this fight will continue for a long time to come. I encourage everyone to take precautions to protect themselves and their family members, now and even after restrictions begin to lift. Let’s genuinely be kind and caring, reach out, and engage with our families, friends, neighbors, and fellow church members. As a unified team, ADRA International and ACS, together we are strong. Together we will not just persevere; we will demonstrate the steadfast love of our Lord Jesus Christ,” Kwon added.

Click here to read article by NAD Communications.

ADRA COVID-19 Partnership

ACS Partners with ADRA on Coronavirus Response

Post author By Laura
Post date February 19, 2020

ADRA has been engaged in hygiene and sanitation efforts in the aftermath of the novel COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak that originated in the city of Wuhan, China. The virus which is spreading across the world at an accelerating rate may be at the brink of a global pandemic. The death toll is currently reported to be over 2000 worldwide.

We are partnering with ADRA to help deliver N95 masks for those in need in Hong Kong. The Adventist Hospital there has exhausted all their supply and thousands continue to get affected each day. NAD ACS Disaster Response Director, Derrick Lea, put out a request to our conferences within the Division, asking about the availability of masks in stock. Within 32 hours, the Texas and Carolina conferences had reached out saying that they had pallets of masks in their Warehouses and we could have access to them. This information was shared with ADRA and eventually an agreement was worked out with our friends at the Florida Adventist Hospital, who already had a shipment going to Hong Kong to be of assistance. Over 20,000 masks were picked up at these two conferences and shipped.

The Seventh-day Adventist Church is working together with ACS DR, ADRA, Florida Hospital, and the Hong Kong Adventist Hospital to help a community being affected by this most recent crisis. “I am encouraged to be a part of this type of collaborative effort and I look forward to more of this in the future,” stated Lea.

Click here to read the latest article put out by ADRA on the coronavirus outbreak.

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