Program Areas

Advocacy

NYDIS works to ensure that the concerns of faith communities and the needs of present and future disaster survivors are addressed on a governmental and legislative level.

Communications

Communication plays a central role during all parts of the disaster lifecycle. Providing timely and relevant information before, during, and after a disaster can help to save and enhance the lives within an affected community.

Planning

Through faith-based, community, and government partnerships, NYDIS and its members provide preparedness planning, facilitate service coordination, and equip faith communities and their leaders for readiness, response, and recovery.

Recovery

NYDIS and its members work to increase community resilience and promote the development and coordination of effective recovery programs.

Response

NYDIS employs our connections, knowledge, and resources in faith communities and emergency management agencies to alleviate human suffering during disasters

Stories

Peter B. Gudaitis

October 27, 2020

New York, June 04, 2025: As disasters and public health emergencies grow in frequency and complexity, the demand for religiously and culturally competent crisis care has never been greater. In response, the Disasters & Religions App has been redesigned and relaunched with an expanded set of tools—most notably, a new prayers module specifically for chaplains and spiritual care providers.

Originally released in 2020, the app quickly became a trusted resource for increasing religious literacy and competency among voluntary organizations active in disaster as well as professionals across hospitals, emergency management, public safety, and public health—earning a 5-star rating. With its updated design and expanded content, the app now features nearly 400 prayers from 24 religious traditions, organized around 16 life-event and crisis-relevant themes including healing, death, birth, hope, and mealtime blessings. Many of these prayers are presented in English and Spanish, or alongside their original prayer languages, supporting multilingual care delivery.

Co-creators Brie Loskota and Peter Gudaitis emphasize that this redesign was driven by a need for real-world usability and. “We developed these tools to equip our nation’s disaster and first responders—whether chaplains, emergency managers, health workers, or volunteers—with what they need to serve survivors and victim’s families affected by disasters and public health emergencies in the most competent and compassionate way possible,” said Loskota, a national faith-based thought leader. Gudaitis, who serves as Executive Director & CEO of New York Disaster Interfaith Services (NYDIS) and President of the National Disaster Interfaith Network (NDIN), added, “The diversity of America’s religious landscape demands tools that are both practical and respectful of the crisis needs of all communities and people of faith.”

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Clubhouse International

April 30, 2025

Clubhouse International: Welcome New Clubhouse to New York City!

Elements House–Lower East Side is the first Clubhouse on Manhattan’s Lower East Side.

With a multilingual staff and a commitment to cultural responsiveness, Elements House supports the unique needs within one of NYC’s most vibrant and historic communities. The member-driven multi-cultural space fosters dignity, connection, and purpose for all who seek intentional community.

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Con Edison

December 11, 2024

PRESS RELEASE: At a ceremony today (12/11) at the SAGE Center Bronx at Crotona Pride House, Con Edison announced it is awarding $4 million in grants to NYDIS and five other nonprofits for their creative approaches to combatting the effects of extreme heat and other climate-related weather events on disadvantaged and marginalized communities across the five boroughs and Westchester County.

“Con Edison is proud to invest in these partners who are committed to resiliency and confronting the impacts of climate change in our communities,” said Jen Hensley, senior vice president Corporate Affairs. “These organizations are doing the important work of developing New York’s climate leaders and preparing communities for extreme weather.”

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NYDIS in the News

Con Ed Gives $500Gs to Group That Helps Insulate Manhattan Houses of Worship From Climate Disasters
Above & Beyond: Social Services - Recognizing exemplary leaders dedicated to serving vulnerable New Yorkers.
More beds for migrants: faith leaders and NY SANE Coalition call on City to approve plan to house 5,000 asylum seekers at houses of worship, save over $547 million per year
Mayor Adams, NYC Faith Leaders Launch Faith-Based Shelter Program for Houses of Worship to Support Asylum Seeker Response
President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves New York Disaster Declaration | The White House
Village Voice Article from 2018
Displaced Puerto Ricans Face Dire Situations As FEMA Housing Aid Nears Its End

Member Spotlight

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