HOPE FORCE
RESERVIST TRAINING
This powerful disaster response training will keep you ready to bring hope after disaster.
Disasters have a devastating impact on survivors, causing physical, emotional, and spiritual needs, as well as hopelessness. Even worse, the many people compelled to respond often don’t know how they can practically help.
At Hope Force International, we believe everyone who wants to help disaster survivors should have a clear pathway to do so. This is why we created the Hope Force Reservist training to give you the skills, knowledge, and framework to help those in crisis.
two ways to get trained
Ready to become a Hope Force Reservist? Whether you start with online training or join us in person, your training is the first step toward helping disaster survivors when they need it most.
Online
Training
Our online Reservist training provides the insights, principles, and fundamentals to be an effective responder. Once you complete the course, you will become a certified Hope Force Reservist!
TIME: 6.5 hours of videos and quizzes. Complete at your own pace within 90 days.
COST: $49/person
In Person
Training
If you prefer a hands-on learning environment, Hope Force offers several in-person training opportunities throughout the year in several different states. Some trainings are hosted at YMCA locations, others at local churches, and each event costs $49/person to join.
UPCOMING TRAINING EVENTS:
- April 11 – East Tennessee YMCA, Knoxville, TN
- April 18 – Countryside YMCA, Lebanon, OH
What You'll Learn in Training
As a Hope Force Reservist, you will be on the frontlines of disaster relief, often responding within 24-48 hours, bringing help and hope to those affected.
Completing our training is required to deploy with us to disaster zones. Through the training, you will be prepared for the practical and emotional/spiritual dynamics of disaster. In the training, you will learn:
- The core beliefs of Hope Force
- Your identity in Christ
- Emotional and Spiritual Care (ESC)
- Healthy relationships on deployment
- How to be a sensitive and appropriate caregiver
- What to expect when responding
- Disaster response principles
Already a Hope Force reservist?
Visit our page specifically for trained Reservists to stay up-to-date on serving opportunities, connection events, and more.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
If you don’t find what you’re looking for, email us at info@hopeforce.org.
How long has Hope Force International been doing disaster relief work?
Hope Force International has been doing disaster relief work since 2003.
What is the difference between a Reservist and a Volunteer?
A Reservist has successfully completed our training course and is eligible for rapid deployment within 24-48 hours after a disaster event. A volunteer has not yet taken the training but may be eligible for deployment weeks and/or months after the initial event, through our recovery/rebuild phases. For details, please email deployment@hopeforce.org
What skills or experience do I need to volunteer?
You don’t need any specialized skills to volunteer. Our volunteers come from diverse backgrounds and from all walks of life, with skills ranging from construction to administration. Age-wise, our volunteers consist of young people to seniors. Certain rebuild teams may require specialized skills (i.e., roofers, electricians, carpenters, plumbers). The nature of disaster response can be grueling and conditions can be challenging (i.e. sleeping on the floor, long days in hot and humid weather, etc).
For more information, please contact deployment@hopeforce.org.
Can my family join me on a deployment? I would like to bring my child(ren) – is there a minimum age?
We generally ask that children be at least 16 years old to participate with their parent(s) in a deployment, but there can be exceptions depending on the nature of the deployment. Please contact us at deployment@hopeforce.org for more details.
How can I get more information about deploying?
Please email us directly at deployment@hopeforce.org for more information on deploying as a Volunteer or Reservist.
Do I have to be a Reservist before I can join a deployment or rebuild team?
To deploy in the immediate aftermath of a disaster (within 24-48 hours), we require that our volunteers successfully complete the HFI Disaster Response Intensive training. Opportunities to serve as a non-trained volunteer are available on a case-by-case basis. This depends on the severity of the disaster and a number of other variables. For rebuild teams, we often accept volunteers who have not yet attended our training, depending on the specific deployment. Please contact our Deployment Department at deployment@hopeforce.org for further details.
Do I have to be a Christian to volunteer or take the training?
You do not have to be a Christian to volunteer or take the training. We are a faith-based organization and as such we operate following Christian values. HFI stresses the importance of the relational, emotional and spiritual aspects of effectively meeting the needs of those who have suffered loss.
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How to Prepare for Water Shortages During Natural Disasters
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Hope In Action Newsletter
Never miss a chance to give, go or pray to help disaster survivors around the world.
