Presented by Jason Ruiz-Swartz, T'25 and Race Hodges
For decades, Episcopal Relief & Development has worked alongside congregations and communities facing disaster, from hurricanes and wildfires to displacement and the long work of recovery. What has emerged from that partnership is a clear conviction: the most resilient responses begin not with outside intervention, but with the assets already present in a community.
This workshop brings that learning to the parish ministry context. It examines the distinct roles congregations play across the disaster cycle (preparedness, response and recovery) and how Episcopal Relief & Development walks alongside communities in each stage. Drawing on case studies from the field, participants will engage with asset-based community development as a framework for recognizing the spiritual and material resources already present in their communities, and leave with concrete preparedness actions suited to their own ministry contexts.
Race Hodges is a Senior Program Officer with Episcopal Relief & Development, leading disaster response and long-term recovery efforts across the United States. With 20 years of experience in disaster response and community resilience, he has previously served as FEMA’s Faith-Based Preparedness Coordinator, a member of the American Red Cross National Recovery Team, and as a Peace Corps volunteer. He is a member of Grace Church Brooklyn Heights in the Diocese of Long Island.
Jason Ruiz-Swartz, T'25, serves as Coordinator of Faith & Community Engagement at Episcopal Relief & Development, where he develops resources and tools to connect Episcopalians and other faith communities to the organization’s mission. As project lead for the Episcopal Asset Map, he works to broaden its reach and effectiveness across the Church. With seven years of community engagement experience and a Master of Education, Jason believes lasting ministry begins by listening to communities, understanding their context, and recognizing the assets already present within them. He is a proud School of Theology alum and lives in Oneonta, NY, where his husband is Rector of St. James Episcopal Church.
