{"id":133,"date":"2021-04-04T03:22:39","date_gmt":"2021-04-04T03:22:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/engineering.utsa.edu\/disasterprooftexas\/?page_id=133"},"modified":"2022-08-02T19:23:33","modified_gmt":"2022-08-02T19:23:33","slug":"we-need-your-help","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/ceid.utsa.edu\/disasterprooftexas\/we-need-your-help\/","title":{"rendered":"Knowledge Caf\u00e9s"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"133\" class=\"elementor elementor-133\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-145f101 elementor-section-content-middle elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-hidden-mobile elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"145f101\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;shape_divider_top&quot;:&quot;mountains&quot;,&quot;shape_divider_bottom&quot;:&quot;mountains&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-background-overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-shape elementor-shape-top\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-negative=\"false\">\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 100\" preserveAspectRatio=\"none\">\n\t<path class=\"elementor-shape-fill\" opacity=\"0.33\" d=\"M473,67.3c-203.9,88.3-263.1-34-320.3,0C66,119.1,0,59.7,0,59.7V0h1000v59.7 c0,0-62.1,26.1-94.9,29.3c-32.8,3.3-62.8-12.3-75.8-22.1C806,49.6,745.3,8.7,694.9,4.7S492.4,59,473,67.3z\"\/>\n\t<path class=\"elementor-shape-fill\" opacity=\"0.66\" d=\"M734,67.3c-45.5,0-77.2-23.2-129.1-39.1c-28.6-8.7-150.3-10.1-254,39.1 s-91.7-34.4-149.2,0C115.7,118.3,0,39.8,0,39.8V0h1000v36.5c0,0-28.2-18.5-92.1-18.5C810.2,18.1,775.7,67.3,734,67.3z\"\/>\n\t<path class=\"elementor-shape-fill\" d=\"M766.1,28.9c-200-57.5-266,65.5-395.1,19.5C242,1.8,242,5.4,184.8,20.6C128,35.8,132.3,44.9,89.9,52.5C28.6,63.7,0,0,0,0 h1000c0,0-9.9,40.9-83.6,48.1S829.6,47,766.1,28.9z\"\/>\n<\/svg>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-shape elementor-shape-bottom\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-negative=\"false\">\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 100\" preserveAspectRatio=\"none\">\n\t<path class=\"elementor-shape-fill\" opacity=\"0.33\" d=\"M473,67.3c-203.9,88.3-263.1-34-320.3,0C66,119.1,0,59.7,0,59.7V0h1000v59.7 c0,0-62.1,26.1-94.9,29.3c-32.8,3.3-62.8-12.3-75.8-22.1C806,49.6,745.3,8.7,694.9,4.7S492.4,59,473,67.3z\"\/>\n\t<path class=\"elementor-shape-fill\" opacity=\"0.66\" d=\"M734,67.3c-45.5,0-77.2-23.2-129.1-39.1c-28.6-8.7-150.3-10.1-254,39.1 s-91.7-34.4-149.2,0C115.7,118.3,0,39.8,0,39.8V0h1000v36.5c0,0-28.2-18.5-92.1-18.5C810.2,18.1,775.7,67.3,734,67.3z\"\/>\n\t<path class=\"elementor-shape-fill\" d=\"M766.1,28.9c-200-57.5-266,65.5-395.1,19.5C242,1.8,242,5.4,184.8,20.6C128,35.8,132.3,44.9,89.9,52.5C28.6,63.7,0,0,0,0 h1000c0,0-9.9,40.9-83.6,48.1S829.6,47,766.1,28.9z\"\/>\n<\/svg>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-2c326374\" data-id=\"2c326374\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-1c64b746 elementor-reverse-tablet elementor-reverse-mobile elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"1c64b746\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-6c826f36\" data-id=\"6c826f36\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-55793ed4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-menu-anchor\" data-id=\"55793ed4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"menu-anchor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-menu-anchor\" id=\"top-of-page\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5d7138c8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5d7138c8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Knowledge Caf\u00e9s<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e8a0310 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"e8a0310\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-57bcc2f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"57bcc2f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Conversations on how congregations weather disasters and help communities recover.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-97892e7 elementor-reverse-tablet elementor-reverse-mobile elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"97892e7\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-429dc19d\" data-id=\"429dc19d\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-568c109 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"568c109\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-78a20cc elementor-reverse-tablet elementor-reverse-mobile elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"78a20cc\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-6829c95\" data-id=\"6829c95\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4d3844e elementor-widget__width-auto elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4d3844e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"text-align: center\"><strong>September 21 &amp; May 25, 2021 online<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-bc78694\" data-id=\"bc78694\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f75aa6a elementor-widget__width-auto elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f75aa6a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Houses of worship dedicate themselves to helping their neighbors in times of disaster. But this often <strong>leaves them without the means to care for themselves<\/strong>.<\/p><p>Not only that, communication between faith-based groups and government emergency response managers (mainly at the county level) needs to improve. Doing so may be the key to faster recovery from disaster. Those two topics\u2014<strong>funding and communication<\/strong>\u2014were among the most talked about during two Knowledge Caf\u00e9s organized by the UTSA-CCS research team.<\/p><p>The online events drew participants from preservation nonprofits, faith-based groups, county government, FEMA, and private firms. Below is a summary of what we learned.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a557cc3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-accordion\" data-id=\"a557cc3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"accordion.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1731\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1731\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Risk<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1731\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1731\"><p>Historic houses of worship on the Gulf Coast face unique risks. The UTSA-CCS research team defines \u201crisk\u201d as anything that prevents a congregation from keeping its building in good repair. Risks range from weather\/climate events to a history of economic and social inequality.<\/p><ul><li><strong>Wind and water cause the most damage<\/strong>. Roofs, windows, and wood absorb the brunt of this damage. And this weakens the entire building. While water damage is mostly associated with hurricanes and floods, Winter Storm Uri also had significant effects because of burst pipes.<\/li><li>Many historic houses of worship <strong>already need repairs before a storm even hits<\/strong>. Sadly, they lack the funds needed to fix these issues. And so, they become more vulnerable.<\/li><li>While most historic houses of worship have devoted congregations, <strong>declining and aging membership<\/strong> trends are a problem. For instance, fewer members often means less money to make needed repairs. Plus, aging congregation members have less energy for response and recovery efforts. Most problematically, this group is among the most vulnerable in a natural disaster.<\/li><li>Historically marginalized and underserved communities often exist in geographic areas at greater risk during large weather events (e.g., <strong>low-lying areas prone to flooding<\/strong>). As a result, houses of worship that serve these communities find themselves more likely to be damaged in a storm.<\/li><li><strong>A house of worship closing its doors will hurt the overall recovery effort.<\/strong> Because a house of worship acts as first responder\u2014providing emergency food, clothing, shelter, information-sharing, etc.\u2014the community suffers when these vital services can\u2019t be offered.<\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1732\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1732\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Resources<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1732\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1732\"><p>Ultimately, a congregation\u2019s ability to care for its historic building is most strongly connected to its access to resources.<\/p><ul><li>Congregations in under-served communities have fewer funds available to them at the individual, congregational, and denominational levels.<\/li><li><strong>Wealthier congregations and denominations recover from damage faster.<\/strong><\/li><li>Very few resources exist for faith-based groups that need building repair. Often, the only groups that can provide financial help for houses of worship are those affiliated with their particular faith\/denomination.<\/li><li>Congregations help their members and families who lose homes, income, etc. because of a disaster. Also, congregations seek out people who need help. For example, Hindus of Greater Houston and Sewa International\u2019s Houston Chapter saw many of their elderly members being displaced after disasters. In response, these groups are working to build long-term senior housing.<\/li><\/ul><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><em>Tax Credits<\/em><\/p><p>Houses of worship usually know what repairs they need to make, but they lack the money to do so. One thing that might help is the<strong> state preservation tax credit.<\/strong> Because faith-based groups are nonprofits, they can use this tax credit to pay for improvements. It <strong>can cover 25% of qualified expenses.<\/strong> But first, a congregation needs to make sure its building is on the National Register of Historic Places.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><em>FEMA<\/em><\/p><p>Faith-based groups also say they struggle with all the steps it takes to get help from FEMA or insurance companies. FEMA\u2019s rules are changing to make it easier for houses of worship. But still,<strong> most faith-based groups don\u2019t know whom to contact or what help is available.<\/strong> Congregations need more information on how to apply for federal tax credits and grants. And a good resource for learning how to work with FEMA is the County Office of Emergency Management (OEM).<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1733\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"3\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1733\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Unique Challenges<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1733\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"3\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1733\"><ul><li>Historic houses of worship often have historic (and rare) instruments and artifacts. Damage to the building can damage the artifacts too. For example, many Christian churches have pipe organs, which are particularly at risk for water damage.<\/li><li>Historic buildings, especially those with landmark status, require specialists for repair and renovation work. And these specialists are in short supply. Plus, their services often cost more than non-specialists. As a result, repairs take longer and hurt the congregation\u2019s ability to help the community.<\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1734\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"4\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1734\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">The Importance of Connection<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1734\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"4\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1734\"><p>One of the <strong>key factors to a quick recovery is the strength of networks.<\/strong> Many long-term recovery groups are already in contact with each other and can connect with other counties to share resources and emergency contact information. It would also help to have a list of resources, including contractors specializing in historic property repair.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><em>Offices of Emergency Management (OEMs)<\/em><\/p><p>County OEMs can be a great help to congregations in disaster prep and recovery. They know that faith-based groups do a lot for their congregations and community. But <strong>they don\u2019t always know whom to partner with.<\/strong> Plus, procedures for response and recovery vary by county.<\/p><p>Congregations and the OEM need to know before the disaster hits who is in charge of coordination. Plus, they need to <strong>have each other\u2019s contact information.<\/strong> In Harris County, the local government is already reaching out to houses of worship to coordinate. Communication among various counties within the region would also help. It would let counties with more resources help those with fewer.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><em>How the UTSA-CCS Toolkit Can Help<\/em><\/p><p>Some communication issues also arise due to a lack of shared terminology regarding disaster prep and recovery. UTSA\u2019s <em>Resilience Roadmap<\/em> and Resilience Performance Indicators may solve this problem. Our work could <strong>provide the common language needed between faith-based groups and government emergency planners.<\/strong> The Resilience Performance Indicators will give congregations a numeric score for how their building will likely perform in a disaster. From there, the <em>Resilience Roadmap<\/em> will give faith-based groups some tips on how to improve their score.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><em>Connecting Congregations<\/em><\/p><p>Communication between congregations is just as important. This will let those who are more prepared help those that are less so.<\/p><ul><li>Because of the lack of grants and other relief resources to congregations, faith groups have created informal networks of mutual aid after disasters.<\/li><\/ul><ul><li><strong>Reedy Chapel has started an informal network<\/strong> of disaster-response services with other Galveston Island congregations. The shared experience of multiple disasters has strengthened this network as well as interfaith ties.<\/li><li>Less-vulnerable congregations have found ways to serve those that are in harm\u2019s way. Houses of worship farther inland can repair and mobilize quickly to aid those in Galveston, which is often hit hardest and takes longer to recover. <strong>Inland congregations can host and house volunteers from across the country<\/strong> who provide much-needed recovery-related labor.<\/li><li>There are new efforts to better coordinate congregations across the Houston area to respond to natural disasters. Interestingly, the COVID-19 pandemic has strengthened this network. Some groups, like Houston Responds and Interfaith Ministries of Greater Houston, work to improve communication with <strong>a biweekly call to share information from OEM.<\/strong> Knowing what\u2019s already available will help future efforts to fill in gaps and not duplicate services.<\/li><\/ul><p>Disaster-proofing is an ongoing process. Congregations should choose a liaison and volunteers before the disaster. This will help them streamline response and know whom to contact. Volunteers are key to solving problems, organizing, and rebuilding before and after disasters. Also, using college students as volunteers could reduce the cost of rebuilding and create greater community connections.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1735\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"5\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1735\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Information Distribution<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1735\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"5\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1735\"><p>Finally, faith-based groups need to think about how they will distribute information both before and after a disaster. (Harris County already has a platform for this). Keep in mind the age of congregants.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d22dd0d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d22dd0d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a href=\"#top-of-page\" data-wplink-edit=\"true\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif\">Return to top of page.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9e54fee elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9e54fee\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Image credit: This file was contributed to Wikimedia Commons by <a class=\"extiw\" title=\"d:Q59661040\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wikidata.org\/wiki\/Q59661040\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span title=\"reference unit of the National Archives and Records Administration\">National Archives at College Park &#8211; Still Pictures<\/span><\/a> as part of a cooperation project. The donation was facilitated by the <a class=\"extiw\" title=\"w:Digital Public Library of America\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Digital_Public_Library_of_America\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Digital Public Library of America<\/a>, via its partner National Archives and Records Administration. Image created by U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Federal Emergency Management Agency. Public Affairs Division. George Armstrong\/FEMA<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-a968222 elementor-section-content-middle elementor-reverse-tablet elementor-reverse-mobile elementor-hidden-desktop elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"a968222\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;shape_divider_top&quot;:&quot;mountains&quot;,&quot;shape_divider_bottom&quot;:&quot;mountains&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-background-overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-shape elementor-shape-top\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-negative=\"false\">\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 100\" preserveAspectRatio=\"none\">\n\t<path class=\"elementor-shape-fill\" opacity=\"0.33\" d=\"M473,67.3c-203.9,88.3-263.1-34-320.3,0C66,119.1,0,59.7,0,59.7V0h1000v59.7 c0,0-62.1,26.1-94.9,29.3c-32.8,3.3-62.8-12.3-75.8-22.1C806,49.6,745.3,8.7,694.9,4.7S492.4,59,473,67.3z\"\/>\n\t<path class=\"elementor-shape-fill\" opacity=\"0.66\" d=\"M734,67.3c-45.5,0-77.2-23.2-129.1-39.1c-28.6-8.7-150.3-10.1-254,39.1 s-91.7-34.4-149.2,0C115.7,118.3,0,39.8,0,39.8V0h1000v36.5c0,0-28.2-18.5-92.1-18.5C810.2,18.1,775.7,67.3,734,67.3z\"\/>\n\t<path class=\"elementor-shape-fill\" d=\"M766.1,28.9c-200-57.5-266,65.5-395.1,19.5C242,1.8,242,5.4,184.8,20.6C128,35.8,132.3,44.9,89.9,52.5C28.6,63.7,0,0,0,0 h1000c0,0-9.9,40.9-83.6,48.1S829.6,47,766.1,28.9z\"\/>\n<\/svg>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-shape elementor-shape-bottom\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-negative=\"false\">\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 100\" preserveAspectRatio=\"none\">\n\t<path class=\"elementor-shape-fill\" opacity=\"0.33\" d=\"M473,67.3c-203.9,88.3-263.1-34-320.3,0C66,119.1,0,59.7,0,59.7V0h1000v59.7 c0,0-62.1,26.1-94.9,29.3c-32.8,3.3-62.8-12.3-75.8-22.1C806,49.6,745.3,8.7,694.9,4.7S492.4,59,473,67.3z\"\/>\n\t<path class=\"elementor-shape-fill\" opacity=\"0.66\" d=\"M734,67.3c-45.5,0-77.2-23.2-129.1-39.1c-28.6-8.7-150.3-10.1-254,39.1 s-91.7-34.4-149.2,0C115.7,118.3,0,39.8,0,39.8V0h1000v36.5c0,0-28.2-18.5-92.1-18.5C810.2,18.1,775.7,67.3,734,67.3z\"\/>\n\t<path class=\"elementor-shape-fill\" d=\"M766.1,28.9c-200-57.5-266,65.5-395.1,19.5C242,1.8,242,5.4,184.8,20.6C128,35.8,132.3,44.9,89.9,52.5C28.6,63.7,0,0,0,0 h1000c0,0-9.9,40.9-83.6,48.1S829.6,47,766.1,28.9z\"\/>\n<\/svg>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-611bd1e\" data-id=\"611bd1e\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-5c1ab13 elementor-reverse-tablet elementor-reverse-mobile elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"5c1ab13\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-01dc62b\" data-id=\"01dc62b\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-03d26bb elementor-widget elementor-widget-menu-anchor\" data-id=\"03d26bb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"menu-anchor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-menu-anchor\" id=\"top-of-page\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b97d703 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b97d703\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Knowledge Caf\u00e9s<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8812379 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"8812379\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c6608a5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c6608a5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Conversations on how congregations weather disasters and help communities recover.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-f46da0c elementor-reverse-tablet elementor-reverse-mobile elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"f46da0c\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-1793ba6\" data-id=\"1793ba6\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8a00a25 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"8a00a25\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-245dc44 elementor-reverse-tablet elementor-reverse-mobile elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"245dc44\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-38c9318\" data-id=\"38c9318\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e4a2dd1 elementor-widget__width-auto elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e4a2dd1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"text-align: center\"><strong>September 21 &amp; May 25, 2021 online<\/strong><\/p><p>Houses of worship dedicate themselves to helping their neighbors in times of disaster. But this often <strong>leaves them without the means to care for themselves<\/strong>.<\/p><p>Not only that, communication between faith-based groups and government emergency response managers (mainly at the county level) needs to improve. Doing so may be the key to faster recovery from disaster. Those two topics\u2014<strong>funding and communication<\/strong>\u2014were among the most talked about during two Knowledge Caf\u00e9s organized by the UTSA-CCS research team.<\/p><p>The online events drew participants from preservation nonprofits, faith-based groups, county government, FEMA, and private firms. Below is a summary of what we learned.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f02db15 elementor-widget elementor-widget-accordion\" data-id=\"f02db15\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"accordion.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-2511\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2511\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Risk<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2511\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2511\"><p>Historic houses of worship on the Gulf Coast face unique risks. The UTSA-CCS research team defines \u201crisk\u201d as anything that prevents a congregation from keeping its building in good repair. Risks range from weather\/climate events to a history of economic and social inequality.<\/p><ul><li><strong>Wind and water cause the most damage<\/strong>. Roofs, windows, and wood absorb the brunt of this damage. And this weakens the entire building. While water damage is mostly associated with hurricanes and floods, Winter Storm Uri also had significant effects because of burst pipes.<\/li><li>Many historic houses of worship <strong>already need repairs before a storm even hits<\/strong>. Sadly, they lack the funds needed to fix these issues. And so, they become more vulnerable.<\/li><li>While most historic houses of worship have devoted congregations, <strong>declining and aging membership<\/strong> trends are a problem. For instance, fewer members often means less money to make needed repairs. Plus, aging congregation members have less energy for response and recovery efforts. Most problematically, this group is among the most vulnerable in a natural disaster.<\/li><li>Historically marginalized and underserved communities often exist in geographic areas at greater risk during large weather events (e.g., <strong>low-lying areas prone to flooding<\/strong>). As a result, houses of worship that serve these communities find themselves more likely to be damaged in a storm.<\/li><li><strong>A house of worship closing its doors will hurt the overall recovery effort.<\/strong> Because a house of worship acts as first responder\u2014providing emergency food, clothing, shelter, information-sharing, etc.\u2014the community suffers when these vital services can\u2019t be offered.<\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-2512\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2512\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Resources<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2512\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2512\"><p>Ultimately, a congregation\u2019s ability to care for its historic building is most strongly connected to its access to resources.<\/p><ul><li>Congregations in under-served communities have fewer funds available to them at the individual, congregational, and denominational levels.<\/li><li><strong>Wealthier congregations and denominations recover from damage faster.<\/strong><\/li><li>Very few resources exist for faith-based groups that need building repair. Often, the only groups that can provide financial help for houses of worship are those affiliated with their particular faith\/denomination.<\/li><li>Congregations help their members and families who lose homes, income, etc. because of a disaster. Also, congregations seek out people who need help. For example, Hindus of Greater Houston and Sewa International\u2019s Houston Chapter saw many of their elderly members being displaced after disasters. In response, these groups are working to build long-term senior housing.<\/li><\/ul><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><em>Tax Credits<\/em><\/p><p>Houses of worship usually know what repairs they need to make, but they lack the money to do so. One thing that might help is the<strong> state preservation tax credit.<\/strong> Because faith-based groups are nonprofits, they can use this tax credit to pay for improvements. It <strong>can cover 25% of qualified expenses.<\/strong> But first, a congregation needs to make sure its building is on the National Register of Historic Places.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><em>FEMA<\/em><\/p><p>Faith-based groups also say they struggle with all the steps it takes to get help from FEMA or insurance companies. FEMA\u2019s rules are changing to make it easier for houses of worship. But still,<strong> most faith-based groups don\u2019t know whom to contact or what help is available.<\/strong> Congregations need more information on how to apply for federal tax credits and grants. And a good resource for learning how to work with FEMA is the County Office of Emergency Management (OEM).<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-2513\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"3\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2513\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Unique Challenges<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2513\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"3\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2513\"><ul><li>Historic houses of worship often have historic (and rare) instruments and artifacts. Damage to the building can damage the artifacts too. For example, many Christian churches have pipe organs, which are particularly at risk for water damage.<\/li><li>Historic buildings, especially those with landmark status, require specialists for repair and renovation work. And these specialists are in short supply. Plus, their services often cost more than non-specialists. As a result, repairs take longer and hurt the congregation\u2019s ability to help the community.<\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-2514\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"4\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2514\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">The Importance of Connection<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2514\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"4\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2514\"><p>One of the <strong>key factors to a quick recovery is the strength of networks.<\/strong> Many long-term recovery groups are already in contact with each other and can connect with other counties to share resources and emergency contact information. It would also help to have a list of resources, including contractors specializing in historic property repair.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><em>Offices of Emergency Management (OEMs)<\/em><\/p><p>County OEMs can be a great help to congregations in disaster prep and recovery. They know that faith-based groups do a lot for their congregations and community. But <strong>they don\u2019t always know whom to partner with.<\/strong> Plus, procedures for response and recovery vary by county.<\/p><p>Congregations and the OEM need to know before the disaster hits who is in charge of coordination. Plus, they need to <strong>have each other\u2019s contact information.<\/strong> In Harris County, the local government is already reaching out to houses of worship to coordinate. Communication among various counties within the region would also help. It would let counties with more resources help those with fewer.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><em>How the UTSA-CCS Toolkit Can Help<\/em><\/p><p>Some communication issues also arise due to a lack of shared terminology regarding disaster prep and recovery. UTSA\u2019s <em>Resilience Roadmap<\/em> and Resilience Performance Indicators may solve this problem. Our work could <strong>provide the common language needed between faith-based groups and government emergency planners.<\/strong> The Resilience Performance Indicators will give congregations a numeric score for how their building will likely perform in a disaster. From there, the <em>Resilience Roadmap<\/em> will give faith-based groups some tips on how to improve their score.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><em>Connecting Congregations<\/em><\/p><p>Communication between congregations is just as important. This will let those who are more prepared help those that are less so.<\/p><ul><li>Because of the lack of grants and other relief resources to congregations, faith groups have created informal networks of mutual aid after disasters.<\/li><\/ul><ul><li><strong>Reedy Chapel has started an informal network<\/strong> of disaster-response services with other Galveston Island congregations. The shared experience of multiple disasters has strengthened this network as well as interfaith ties.<\/li><li>Less-vulnerable congregations have found ways to serve those that are in harm\u2019s way. Houses of worship farther inland can repair and mobilize quickly to aid those in Galveston, which is often hit hardest and takes longer to recover. <strong>Inland congregations can host and house volunteers from across the country<\/strong> who provide much-needed recovery-related labor.<\/li><li>There are new efforts to better coordinate congregations across the Houston area to respond to natural disasters. Interestingly, the COVID-19 pandemic has strengthened this network. Some groups, like Houston Responds and Interfaith Ministries of Greater Houston, work to improve communication with <strong>a biweekly call to share information from OEM.<\/strong> Knowing what\u2019s already available will help future efforts to fill in gaps and not duplicate services.<\/li><\/ul><p>Disaster-proofing is an ongoing process. Congregations should choose a liaison and volunteers before the disaster. This will help them streamline response and know whom to contact. Volunteers are key to solving problems, organizing, and rebuilding before and after disasters. Also, using college students as volunteers could reduce the cost of rebuilding and create greater community connections.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-2515\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"5\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2515\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Information Distribution<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2515\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"5\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2515\"><p>Finally, faith-based groups need to think about how they will distribute information both before and after a disaster. (Harris County already has a platform for this). Keep in mind the age of congregants.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a21e875 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a21e875\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a href=\"#top-of-page\" data-wplink-edit=\"true\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif\">Return to top of page.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Knowledge Caf\u00e9s Conversations on how congregations weather disasters and help communities recover. September 21 &amp; May 25, 2021 online Houses of worship dedicate themselves to helping their neighbors in times of disaster. But this often leaves them without the means to care for themselves. Not only that, communication between faith-based groups and government emergency response<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":155,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_header_footer","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-133","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Knowledge Caf\u00e9s - Disaster-Proof Texas<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/ceid.utsa.edu\/disasterprooftexas\/we-need-your-help\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Knowledge Caf\u00e9s - Disaster-Proof Texas\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Knowledge Caf\u00e9s Conversations on how congregations weather disasters and help communities recover. 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