Hope For The Displaced

DRAW | Disaster Relief at Work

DRAW (Disaster Relief At Work, Inc.) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to providing relief services to communities around the United States hit by natural disasters such as floods, hurricanes and tornadoes. DRAW was started with a singular premise in mind: a natural disaster is one of very few times in the human experience where a person or family goes from everyday life to rock bottom instantly.

We aim to provide whatever the survivors of natural disasters need as soon as they need it. Our first response teams will help survivors sift through the remains of their homes to salvage valuables, move trees that have fallen and blocked them in their driveway, or just sit and listen as they grieve.

Since our inception in 2012, DRAW has responded to an average of ten major disasters per year.

DRAW’s Story

In May of 2011, the day after one of many tornadoes pummeled Alabama that year, Greg Martin had an overwhelming sense that he should go help. He reached out to some friends, and within just a few days a team was headed to Alabama. When they arrived, they were met with piles of debris and rubble – all of which had been people’s homes. What was so inspiring, was that these people who had just lost everything did not see themselves as victims, but as survivors. It was in this spirit that DRAW was born.

In May 2012, dozens of caring individuals came together to help form the organization and processes to meet survivors’ needs. At their rock bottom, disaster survivors need quick and precise assistance. And so, the DRAW process was formed.  After a disaster hits, DRAW visits the site to assess the damage and needs of the survivors, and then returns with either supplies or a team to perform the work that needs to be done to help the survivors return to normalcy.