Become a
Hope Force Reservist
You've always wanted to help when disaster strikes—
this is your pathway to do it.
When a tornado, hurricane, or flood makes the news, many people feel called to help. The challenge is knowing how to make a real difference.
At Hope Force International, we’ve spent more than 20 years equipping everyday people to serve disaster survivors with compassion, practical help, and hope. If you’re ready to turn your desire to help into meaningful action, there’s a clear path forward.
Start with Hope Force 101, our free one-hour introductory course. Then, if you’d like to become a Hope Force Reservist, choose the training option that’s right for you. Whether you train online or in person, you’ll gain the skills and confidence needed to serve families affected by disasters.
Desire to help → Hope Force 101 → Reservist Training → Serve Survivors
Hope Force 101 is a free, one-hour introductory course designed to help you learn what disaster response is really like and whether becoming a Hope Force Reservist is right for you.
In Hope Force 101, you’ll learn:
- How Hope Force responds to disasters worldwide
- The unique role our trained Reservists play in helping survivors
- What a deployment looks like
- How someone like you can make an extraordinary difference
Whether you’re just wanting to learn more or seriously considering becoming a Reservist, Hope Force 101 is the best place to start. Take the free online course and discover your pathway to helping disaster survivors.
Two ways to get trained:
To become a Hope Force Reservist, you’ll first complete Hope Force 101 and then choose one of the training options below. Reservist training is required for anyone who wishes to deploy with Hope Force and costs $49, whether completed online or through an in-person training experience.
Online
Training
Our online Reservist training is a 2-step process:
- Take Hope Force 101
- Complete the full Reservist training course
The full training provides the insights, principles, and fundamentals to be an effective responder. Once you complete both steps, you will be a certified Hope Force Reservist!
TIME: 6.5 hours of videos and quizzes. Complete at your own pace within 90 days.
COST: $49/person
*We will send you the full Reservist training link after you complete Hope Force 101.
In Person
Training
If you prefer a hands-on learning environment, Hope Force offers in-person Reservist trainings throughout the year in different states.
Some trainings are hosted at YMCA locations, others at local churches, and each event costs $49/person to participate.
There are no upcoming in-person training events, please check back later!
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
Completing our training is required to deploy with us to a disaster zone. Our Reservists will be entering emotionally and spiritually complex environments, and this training will equip you to respond with wisdom and compassion. Here are the main components of the training:
- 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
This video shares what to expect from the online Reservist training.
Take the next step to becoming a trained disaster responder and start Hope Force 101.
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.
Stories From the Field
Here are stories about what’s currently happening and your best way to stay in-the-know of our efforts to help those in need.
When the Storm Passes: Emotional Support for Tornado Survivors
What does real tornado recovery look like? Hope Force shares a story from Arkansas about emotional and spiritual care for
What Emergency Water Supplies Should Go in Your Go Bag?
Emergency Go Bag Water Considerations When disaster strikes and you have to leave home quickly, your go bag becomes your
Emergency Water Tips for Families with Special Needs Children
Water Planning For Families With Special Needs Planning emergency water for a child with special needs brings unique challenges—and opportunities
Water Planning for Large Families: What You Need to Know
Big Family Water Planning For A Disaster When disaster strikes, having a large family can make water preparedness feel overwhelming.
Hope In Action Newsletter
Never miss a chance to give, go or pray to help disaster survivors around the world.
