New Jersey Interfaith Partnership for Disaster Recovery

BRIEF HISTORY

The New Jersey Interfaith Partnership for Disaster Recovery (NJIPDR) was initially formed on October 29, 2001. in response to the New York City World Trade Center disaster of September 11, 2001.

NJIPDR’s initial focus was to address the disaster recovery needs of those in New Jersey affected by the tragedy. We have evolved into an interfaith entity dedicated to responding to people in need who are recovering from any disaster affecting New Jersey residents.

SERVICES

The Interfaith Partnership offers assistance to anyone in need who has been directly or indirectly affected by the impact of September 11^th. We offer information and referrals. While we do not do case work ourselves, we can refer clients to the appropriate resource.

We host the Unmet Needs Committee, which offers financial assistance to any one in need who does not qualify for, or who has exhausted their assistance.

We hope especially to help those who are immigrants, undocumented, have experienced loss or trauma, or who are unemployed.

Recent Disaster Recovery Response

NJIPDR is the only post 9-11 agency working in New Jersey today, as of 2008.  We are assisting first responders and construction workers who continue to have unmet needs resulting from the working at the World Trade Center site. 

In 2007 NJIPDR responded to the April Nor’easter Flooding.  NJIPDR was able to obtain funds from the New Jersey and Newark Episcopal Dioceses, Greater NJ United Methodist Conference, Somerset County United Way, and local Episcopal and Presbyterian Churches in Bound Brook.  An Unmet Needs Table was created in Bound Brook to address the needs of the residents in their recovery.  An Unmet Needs Table was also set up in Paterson with the United Way and Catholic Charities of Paterson Diocese.  Individuals were also assisted in Essex County and Union County.

In 2005 and 2006 NJIPDR facilitated an Unmet Needs Table in Lambertville and Stockton, to assist needy individuals and families affected by Delaware River flooding.  Partners contributing funding and participating in the aid distribution process included he American Red Cross, the Presbyterian Church, the United Methodist Church, and the Wesleyan Church.

We responded to the Burlington County Flooding in 2004.  We facilitated the creation of an Unmet Needs Table for the recovery effort, bringing together Church World Service, the Presbyterian Church, the Lutheran Church, Catholic Charities, and the United Methodist Church to help the community recover.  We also worked with community organizations such as the American Red Cross, the Southampton Citizens Flood Relief Committee, and with officials from the towns involved to ensure that financial assistance was given to those most in need.  The proceeds of a local fundraising event in Medford Lakes were an early source of funding for the program.