Help St. John Prepare

A significant milestone in Love City Strong’s ongoing commitment to capacity building occurred in August, when two members of our team, Kenisha and Kharid, had the opportunity to attend the National CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) conference in Indiana. This was an immersive learning experience that yielded a wealth of information, which they have diligently brought back to enrich St. John. Beyond the acquisition of critical knowledge, the conference provided a valuable platform for networking, allowing Kenisha and Kharid to forge lasting connections with individuals and organizations across the country who share a common dedication to disaster preparedness and response.

The National CERT Association (NCA), a pivotal entity in this field, was established on September 12, 2019. It emerged from the collaborative vision of CERT Leaders across the United States, working in close partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The NCA's fundamental purpose is to foster robust communication and facilitate efficient resource sharing throughout the expansive CERT community. We consider ourselves incredibly fortunate to be part of this broader movement and to have participated in a conference that brought together professionals from a wide array of sectors. This diverse gathering allowed for invaluable exchanges of challenges and solutions, enriching our understanding and refining our approaches to emergency preparedness.

Kenisha and Kharid returned to St. John not only with enhanced technical skills but also with a renewed sense of purpose and a broadened perspective on community resilience. They are now even better equipped to serve their community, leveraging the knowledge and connections gained to strengthen local preparedness efforts. Their ability to contribute to a safer and more resilient St. John has been significantly amplified.

We extend our deepest gratitude to our supporters, whose contributions make these crucial training opportunities possible for our staff. Your belief in our mission empowers us to invest in our team, which directly translates into a more prepared and capable St. John. As we look to the future, Love City Strong remains committed to actively seeking out further opportunities for continuous improvement, constantly striving to enhance our ability to contribute to a more resilient and prepared St. John for all its residents.