Senator James Sanders Jr. and Councilmember Selvena Brooks-Powers Host Packed Disaster Resilience and Safety Training in Partnership with World Cares Center

Queens, NY — In a major step toward strengthening community preparedness, Senator James Sanders Jr. and Councilmember Selvena Brooks-Powers, in partnership with the World Cares Center, hosted a Disaster Resilience and Safety Training that drew a full house of civic leaders, community organizations, and residents eager to enhance their emergency response skills.

Led by Lisa Orloff, Founder and President of World Cares Center, the interactive training provided critical education on disaster preparedness, emergency response coordination, and community safety. Attendees included representatives from various civic associations and local organizations, as well as Queens Community Justice Center, which generously provided food and beverages for participants. O’ Rita’s Roasters also contributed by supplying fresh coffee for the event.

Among those in attendance was Arcelia Cook, Vice President of the 149th Street South Ozone Park Civic Association, who emphasized the significance of the event. "This training was needed and very timely. We appreciate these types of events because many people and organizations may lack the necessary training in case of an emergency. We are grateful for the dialogue and for Senator Sanders and Councilmember Brooks-Powers for bringing this important initiative to our community. It was great to see the room packed, and I will surely be sharing the information I learned with other organizations and civic associations."

Senator James Sanders Jr. underscored the necessity of proactive training efforts “Preparedness is the key to resilience. When disaster strikes, it’s the knowledge and coordination within our communities that can make all the difference. I thank World Cares Center for providing this vital training and ensuring that Southeast Queens and the Rockaways are equipped with the skills necessary to handle emergencies.”

Councilmember Selvena Brooks-Powers echoed this sentiment, "Last week's Disaster Resilience and Safety Training in Southeast Queens was an important step toward building a more prepared and resilient community. Residents and local leaders came together to learn life-saving skills, share knowledge, and strengthen our collective response to future emergencies through an interactive training by World Cares Center. The training was a reminder that when we unite, we are not only better equipped to face disasters, but also able to protect and support each other during times of crisis. We’re committed to ensuring that every corner of Southeast Queens and the Peninsula are ready to withstand and recover from any challenge that comes our way."

With strong civic engagement and expert-led instruction, the event served as a significant step toward fortifying community readiness. Senator Sanders, Councilmember Brooks-Powers, and World Cares Center remain committed to expanding these training opportunities to ensure that all communities—especially those most vulnerable—have access to the resources and education needed to stay safe and resilient.

For more information on future training sessions and community safety initiatives, please contact Joshua Green at Jgreen@nysenate.gov