Why Now?

1. Disasters and acts of terror are on the rise. When destruction causes the disability and death of so many people at one time, maximum damage is also inflicted upon individual minds and hearts. Large or small, all disasters cause a big effect. When people hurt, the entire community's social and economic development suffer.

Most people are in need of various types of mental health relief after disaster. Victims and emergency services personnel also need professionals available for critical stress debriefing and to help with grief and reintegration.

2. A "Comfort Zone" is an area provided on small to large disasters to help alleviate the police, fire and other medical or emergency personnel from having to answer questions regarding the status of victims. Community Chaplains are on the scene and keeps in touch with the police, fire and coroner to connect families who have lost a loved one and link them together whether living or dead. Attending to grief and finding loved ones is important to recovery of individuals and communities. How relief of suffering is handled determines the capacity to rebuild.

3. Local communities need Community Chaplains to welcome home military servicemembers and help them readjust and attend to details at home. Also, some

families who have a servicemember overseas are in need of relief and support. Special R&R and recovery activities are provided to returning servicemembers and their families.

4. Community Chaplains are also available to schools, businesses, hospitals and the community at large, including services for individual disasters, such as single home and apartment fires, etc.