What YOU Did in 2019
BUILDING RESILIENCE! Resilience says a lot about IOCC’s approach. Resilience encompasses two things: getting through the immediate crisis, and moving into the future equipped for lasting change. Though both are intertwined, emergency relief meets acute, short-term needs like food, water, or shelter, while development work addresses the medium and longer term, like increasing education, business or farming capacity, or vocational skills. In 2019, you helped build resilience in places like Greece, Lebanon, the Bahamas, and right here at home. Learn more about your impact in the IOCC Year in Review.
Stay Prepared Ahead of the Next Disaster
While each of us is doing our part to slow the spread of COVID-19, we also have the ability to do our part to prepare for weather-related events that can severely impact your life and community. IOCC is urging everyone to plan now, and stay prepared. And, if you have kids, make sure to include them in your planning process! If you aren’t sure where to start, we’ve created simple templates to guide you, your community, and your parish. Get started today with our easy guides.
Virtual Serv-X-Treme Conference a Success
Serv-X-Treme, IOCC’s annual youth leadership event went virtual this year for its 7th annual conference. There were 13 students from 5 Orthodox jurisdictions joining from across the country. Paul Karos, Orthodox retreat leader and facilitator, served as the keynote speaker once again, sharing a presentation about building your life in Christ as a foundation against trials and tribulations. The attendees, rising high-school seniors, gained a deeper understanding of Orthodox philanthropy and diakonia (service) through presentations, reflections, and panel discussions with IOCC Frontliners, Emergency Response Team Leaders, clergy, and more. In a special panel discussion, Serv-X-Treme alumni shared ways their conference experience has shaped and informed their lives in college and beyond.
IOCC Virtual Events: Join Us August 16
Summer has been a busy time for IOCC Virtual Events! Thanks to our volunteers and some creativity, we’ve been able to shift many of our in-person events into a virtual format, from a Virtual 5K to Zoom presentations.
Our next event will take place on August 16: the IOCC Chicago Virtual Event. You’ll see friendly faces from Chicago, IOCC updates, and hear from IOCC Executive Director and CEO Constantine Triantafilou. And since it’s virtual, it’s open to everyone, no matter where they are! Learn more at iocc.org/Chicago.
If you want to organize a virtual fundraiser in your area, contact Outreach at 410.243.9820 or outreach@iocc.org.
IOCC Care Calls—Available Now
IOCC is offering a tool to guide you and your parish in reaching out to those who may need some emotional and spiritual care during this challenging time. If someone’s feeling isolated, overwhelmed, or experiencing negative feelings in the current situation, a care call from a friend or acquaintance can have a very positive impact.
The care call provides an intentional space for a person to share what they are experiencing in the present crisis, validate feelings, and explore resources that can help.
Our mission is inspired by Christ’s love for all, and our work meets the highest standards of professional care. Download the Care Calls Guide & Script at iocc.org/carecalls and get started today.
At-Home Activities and Prayer Journal Lesson Guide
Are you looking for a way to help others or engage with IOCC while social distancing? We’ve created a list of activities that you can do safely from your home, including creating face masks, and assembling emergency kits. Visit iocc.org/covid19 for more information.
We also a NEW lesson guide companion piece for the Prayer Journal, which shares activities parents and kids can enjoy together, at home, using the digital version of the prayer journal. IOCC’s prayer journal guides you through our inspiration scripture in Matthew 25 with stories of families IOCC has helped around the world. Together, let’s pray for each of them, offer thanks for what we have, and pray for each other. Visit iocc.org/lessonguide to download.
Home Build Volunteer Opportunities
As we all live through this time of social distancing, IOCC’s home build activities have been temporarily postponed. IOCC is committed to continuing our work in the US through helping to rebuild homes affected by natural disasters. Please keep an eye on our US Programs page at iocc.org/us for opportunities to volunteer as soon as it is safe to do so!
Upcoming Events
Interested in planning your own virtual event to raise awareness about IOCC? Get one on the calendar today! We’d love to help you organize one, so please contact IOCC’s Outreach team at 410.243.9820 or outreach@iocc.org.
- August 16: Chicago, IL—Virtual Event to Benefit IOCC
- October 25: Philadelphia, PA—IOCC Philadelphia Virtual Event
- November 1: St. Louis, MO—18th Annual Fundraising Campaign