1. Are the churches or the Good Samaritan financially responsible?
Raising funds and managing the distribution of funds can be challenging task. UIC-KC, is here to help ease the burden of fundraising and fund distribution. Our goal is to ensure that churches and individuals do not have to carry any unnecessary weight on their shoulders. We do not require that the church or volunteers carry any financial responsibility. They can of course give as they feel led to by the Lord.
2. Will Good Samaritans be part of a call list, ensuring they are alerted whenever a crisis occurs? Will the Good Samaritans be called upon by their church, or by UIC-KC?
In the event of a crisis limited to a particular spot in a city, UIC-KC will reach out through the Church coordinator. If the crisis affects the entire city (or the Great Kansas City Area), Good Samaritans will receive direct call, text, or email communication from the UIC-KC team.
3: Will Good Samaritans be called to assist not just their congregation but also other parts of the city?
Each church will decide on how to respond to any crisis in their designated area. Each individual has a right to help out if they desire and will be able to help out anywhere the network finds a need.
4. In what ways does UIC-KC fill in the gaps that are left by the Good Samaritans who assist the family in crisis during the first week?
We bridge the gap through our Shepherding program. Our shepherding program is what sets us apart from Samaritan’s purse, Red Cross, and other government or christian organizations. As long as a family agrees to have a shepherd walk alongside them, they will have access to emotional and physical support until they have reached their new normal. Good Samaritans Level one are trained to help during the first week(s) of crisis. A Shepherd has more training and thus more tools in their tool belt, so to speak, to walk alongside those in crisis for an extended amount of time. This time frame is anywhere from 2 weeks to 6 months. Shepherds are a part of a Local church. Their local church provides support to the Shepherds and UIC-KC provides support to the local churches.
5. What additional resources does UIC-KC provide?
Our church network is growing. In addition to a growing church network we also have an expanding list of local businesses and nonprofits. We have partnerships with thrift stores and also a furniture ministry. We are working on a list of resources that include but are not limited to, therapists, attorneys, and local businesses ready to donate their specific skill set or resource when there is a disaster and people in crisis. If you know of any resources, please reach out to us at info@uick.org.