In the immediate aftermath of hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma, it was clear that the emergency management community needed to engage a broader cross-section of faith and community-based organizations in all stages of the disaster sequence.  In 2006, the DHS Center was created by executive order to help emergency managers effectively engage with these groups.

In 2010, the DHS Center expanded its focus to include human trafficking by becoming a founding member of the Blue Campaign, DHS' comprehensive, intra-agency approach to fighting human trafficking. The DHS Center delivers training and technical assistance to faith and community-based organizations, providing subject-matter expertise to help communities successfully partner with other Blue Campaign components.

The DHS Center's work is guided by the White House Office of Faith-based & Neighborhood Partnerships, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.   

The DHS Center carries out the policies and program priorities of the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships and DHS/FEMA for faith and community-based organizations related to: all hazards preparedness; emergency and disaster response and recovery; and human trafficking.

Programs

• Building Resilience with Diverse Communities (BRDC)
• Emergency Management Technical Assistance
• Faith and Community-based Disaster Engagement
• Combating Human Trafficking

Center Director: David L. Myers

David L. Myers is the Director of the Center for Faith-based & Neighborhood Partnerships.

Sign up for Information Updates

Please send an e-mail to partnerships@fema.dhs.gov, specifying "Sign Up" in the Subject line and provide in the e-mail text your name, your title, the name of your organization, your e-mail address, and street address and phone number.

Donate to Disaster Victims

Donate to Disaster Victims through Aidmatrix Network. FEMA, the Aidmatrix Foundation and the private sector have partnered to launch a virtual portal to allow individuals, corporations or faith-based and community organizations to offer their support on-line to leading disaster relief organizations. This portal is designed to make it as easy to offer financial support, product donations, or to donate your skills and time to nonprofit organizations active in disaster relief.