LUTHERAN DISASTER RESPONSE OF NEW YORK

COMES TO A CLOSE, AFTER COMPLETING ITS MISSION

NEW YORK –Lutheran Disaster Response of New York (LDRNY) officially closed on Nov. 30,  2008 after seven years, leaving its New York City office at Ground Zero, and turning over future disaster response in the New York region to Lutheran Social Services of New York.

One of the last organizations still helping those affected by Sept. 11, LDRNY had officially distributed more than $9 million in grants, assistance, programs and services, since it was established after the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in 2001.

A collaboration of more than a dozen Lutheran agencies in the New York area, including Lutheran Medical Center, Lutheran Counseling Center, and Lutheran Social Services of New York, it helped thousands of people who lost jobs and loved ones on Sept. 11, and were affected in many other ways.

LDRNY provided valuable services that touched the lives of many, including case management, food programs and grants, mental health counseling, grants to churches and hospitals, summer camps for children, Lutheran schools, domestic violence support, and cooperation with the September 11th Families Association.

Lutheran churches drew together to raise money, offer programs, and to pray for those whose lives were affected. “Everyone in the New York area was affected in some way,” said Mikki Baloy, director of operations. “It was hard not to know someone who lost his or her life, or had a loved one affected. As New Yorkers, every time we saw a photo of the Twin Towers, we were affected again. Still, to this day, when I walk by Ground Zero, with all the progress and work being done, I stop and remember what happened that day. Sept. 11 is, and always will be, part of who I am today.”

Thanks to LDRNY’s work, children who lost a parent on Sept. 11 received tuition to continue their education at Lutheran schools, families who couldn’t buy groceries received food vouchers, and people who were devastated received counseling.

LDRNY was also a founding member of New York Disaster Interfaith Services, and Faithful Response, a partnership that still today provides mental health counseling services to those affected by Sept. 11 on Long Island.

One of its most shining accomplishments was the establishment with other faith organizations of the Unmet Needs Roundtable. Meeting weekly, the Roundtable funded victims for whom there was no other assistance.

The organization was often looked to as a model of what a faith-based disaster response organization should be. Ken Curtin, voluntary agency liaison for FEMA, who worked closely with LDRNY, called it, “a leader by example among faith organizations,” and “a model for the nation.”

It was unique for a lot of reasons, mostly because it was a joint ministry between the Metropolitan New York Synod of the Lutheran Church in America and the Atlantic District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, one of the few projects that the two Lutheran church organizations collaborated on

LDRNY was also unique because it was a local affiliate of Lutheran Disaster Response, a national collaborative ministry of the ELCA and Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, based at ELCA headquarters in Chicago. LDR called LDRNY a celebration of “the work that has happened over the last seven years, with thousands of lives touched…”

The organization was founded by the Rev. Dr. Stephen Bouman, then Bishop of the Synod, and the Rev. Dr. David Benke, President of the Atlantic District. The two, who were personal friends, often collaborated together and led the New York region of the church in this cooperative new venture.

It was one that would last for seven years, beginning with John Scibilia as its first executive director, and ending with Mikki Baloy as director of operations.

LDRNY was blessed with an outpouring of monetary support from Lutherans and other faith partners from around the world after Sept. 11. It was largely through this generosity that LDRNY was able to fulfill its mission.

Over the years, staff members have included, in addition to Scibilia and Baloy,  Lena Gilbert, Pr. Tom Taylor, Jennifer Singer, Cheryl Combs, and Wendy Healy, communications consultant.

LDRNY leaves as its legacy this website documenting the Lutheran response to Sept. 11, and many memories of persons that it has helped. Feel free to download its five-year Annual Report below.

 

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Moving On...

As LDRNY ceases operations, Director Mikki Baloy shares her thoughts.

"LDRNY has been deeply invested in the healing process so necessary for New York City after 9/11.  Our programs and services to those in need have created real change in people’s lives, in both tangible and intangible ways.  I have been blessed with the opportunity to work here, for I have been both witness and collaborator in this healing.   Of course, I would be remiss to not include my own healing, since I have also survived the turmoil, trauma, and burnout so common to those who were present during the disaster and its aftermath.  In assisting others, I have been allowed- and taught- to recover.  I am grateful to every colleague and every client for sharing their stories, resilience, and expertise with me..."       To read more, click here.

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You Can Help 9/11 Recovery Workers

Click here to find out how

All 9/11 rescue, recovery, and cleanup workers are eligible for Workers Compensation, and should register even if not sick to protect their rights to compensation if and when they become sick.   Visit www.nycosh.org to find out more.

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LDRNY's Five-Year Retrospective Report