Community Organizations Unite for Disaster Relief in Rogers

Representatives from the DiVa and Dude Community Outreach Training Center, the Red Cross, and Sheep Dog Impact Assistance served on a panel at the first 100 Families Initiative meeting in Benton County. These organizations are all about responding to the needs of families and now more than ever, they are pooling their resources and making an impact together.

"My greatest pride in the tornado damage that took place two months ago plus, was the outpouring of support from the community," says Sergeant Major Lance Nutt.

Nutt is the founder of Sheep Dog Impact Assistance, a national organization that empowers veterans and first responders to serve in their communities. Nutt says that while most of the time it is the "sheep dogs" that show up for disaster relief, more than 40% of the people that responded to the NWA storms were civilians.

Getting engagement from the community as a whole is crucial to long term success for families affected by natural disasters.

"We can only do so much when it comes to meeting the big picture of needs specifically for the families," says Nutt.

Julie Brown, Executive Director of the NWA Chapter of the Red Cross attests that supporting and empowering the local community is essential to the effectiveness of their efforts. Finding local churches, schools, or "pockets" as Brown calls them, of people who are wanting to help and who best understand the needs and the culture of the ones they are assisting can maximize their impact.

Dr. Carla Thompson draws attention to many of the other community leaders present, highlighting the times they have worked together to meet the needs of families.

"We do nothing without collaboration," Thompson declares. "To me, that's the only way that I can function."