From Ashes, We Rise — Together
On January 8, 2025, wildfire tore through Southern California, leaving behind scorched earth, shattered homes, and families clinging to hope with nothing left but the clothes on their backs. But today, something extraordinary has taken root.
Global Empowerment Mission (GEM), in partnership with Team Rubicon @teamrubicon, CalOES @cal_oes, and Los Angeles County @countyofla has opened a 340,000 sq. ft. recovery warehouse — a beacon of hope built for the brave families who lost everything, and a powerful symbol that healing is possible.
This is more than just a building.
It’s where donations become warm beds for children who’ve been sleeping on floors. Where volunteers pack not just boxes, but compassion and dignity. Where survivors hear, maybe for the first time, “You’re not alone. We’re here for you.”
And now, we’re calling on you to join us — because recovery takes a village, and every village needs its heartbeat.
Here’s what we need to keep that heartbeat strong:
MUSCLE – Volunteers and hands willing to help and serve.
FUNDING – To keep trucks moving, shelves stocked, and doors open.
MATERIAL – The goods that help families feel like a family again.
👉 Every dollar, every item, every effort matters.
There are still mothers who haven’t been able to cook a meal for their children. Father’s sleeping in cars, wondering what comes next. Children dreaming of a bed they can call their own again. Let’s be the answer to their prayers. Let’s be their sign of hope.
If you’re an NGO needing support: [email protected]
If you’re a donor, this is your moment to make real, lasting impact.
Recovery isn’t just a moment. It’s a movement. And it starts with you.
Join us.
Help California heal.
Help empower families to rise up.
Help hope return home. To learn more and how you can help, please visit the link in our bio section above.
#HelpCaliforniaHeal #GEMmissions #TeamRubicon #WildfireRecovery #WarehouseOfHope #Community #Collaboration #UnitedInRecovery #GEM #bstrong #RebuildHope #GiveBack #NonprofitPower #CalOES #LACounty #AltadenaStrong #LAstrong #TogetherWeRise #gemusawest
GEM Update: Earthquake Response in Myanmar
On March 28, a devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck near Mandalay, Myanmar—leaving widespread destruction in its wake. In the weeks since, Global Empowerment Mission’s Europe and Asia teams have been on the ground, delivering life-saving aid to monasteries, nunneries, remote villages, and displacement camps.
This past week, our teams reached several hard-hit and previously inaccessible areas in the Tadau District, including Shan Zay, Mont Ti Suu, Kine Barr, and Kwan The Dann, as well as communities in and around the town of Myitnge. The need was immense—and the gratitude we witnessed was deeply moving. Residents were overwhelmed with emotion and blessings, grateful that help had finally reached them.
One of the most critical challenges remains the collapse of the Tadau bridge—a vital link that allowed local workers, many of whom are carpenters and masons, to reach Mandalay for employment. Without it, families are now cut off from their only source of income.
Another growing crisis is the lack of clean drinking water. Many wells collapsed during the earthquake, leaving communities without safe water. While we continue to distribute clean water, food, and hygiene products, the demand far exceeds supply.
Next, our teams are preparing to reach the historic city of Innwa (Ava), just outside Mandalay, to deliver additional food, including large bags of rice and beans, to hundreds of families in need. But the work is far from over.
The people of Myanmar urgently need sustainable water purification systems and continued relief. With your support, we can bring lasting solutions and help rebuild lives. Please consider donating today, visit the link in our bio section above to learn more.
#GEMmissions #MyanmarEarthquake #DisasterRelief #HumanitarianAid #GlobalEmpowermentMission #asia #europe #AsiaRelief #WaterIsLife #StandWithMyanmar #Mandalay #Tadau #EmergencyRelief #hopeinaction #empowerment #humanitariancrisis
Last week @royalcaribbean Group’s Port Services team participated in a service project helping assemble over 1,900 hygiene kits to support GEM’s hurricane preparedness efforts. Working together helps us ensure communities get the help they need when they need it the most. #community #hurricanepreparedness #royalcaribbean #GEM
WNC Program Update:
To date, GEM Bstrong, in partnership with The David & Nicole Tepper Foundation, have awarded 80 grants totaling over $500,000 to small businesses and artisans impacted by the devastation of Hurricane Helene.
Today, we’re excited to announce that—thanks to the continued generosity of the The David & Nicole Tepper Foundation—we are expanding the grant fund and opening another new round of applications for small businesses and artisans whose livelihoods were disrupted by the catastrophic flooding in the region. Thanks to DNTF, our second round will increase the program by 150% for 2025.
In addition to the small business and artisan grants, we are also launching our Rental Assistance Program (RAP) in Western North Carolina modeled after our long term responses for the Surfside collapse and the Maui and SoCal fires. Our RAP program will provide eligible individuals and families with three months of rental assistance, including first month, last month, and security deposit for a lease they choose based on our qualifications and guidelines.
We are proud to stand with the resilient communities of WNC as they continue to rebuild. @panthers @charlottefc @bofastadium @bethennyfrankel #thedavidandnicoletepperfoundation
We did something truly beautiful—together. This weekend’s GEM Recovery Pop-Up at the Dream Center was nothing short of magical. Thanks to your heart, time, and energy, we welcomed 1,344 families and served a total of 4,703 individuals—bringing hope, healing, and joy to a community in need.
There was laughter, dancing, deep connection, and a whole lot of love. From surprise hugs to essential resources, we witnessed the true power of community in action.
And to top it off? An honorary LAPD flyover saluting our efforts, along with recognition from Supervisor Hilda Solis, Congresswoman Judy Chu, Former LA Mayor and Speaker of the California State Assembly, Antonio Villaraigosa @antonioforcalifornia LAPD, LA County Sheriffs, and so many more.
To each of you who showed up—you are heroes. The heat didn’t stop us. The crowds didn’t stop us. And the joy? It was unstoppable.
Thank you for making this possible. This wasn’t just an event—it was a movement.
With all our hearts,
The GEM Team
#CalOES #FEMA #TopangaReach #DreamCenter #Loveland #CORE #AltaMed #AcupunctureWithoutBorders #LACounty #Metro #OperationHope #GreaterGoodCharities #PowWowOnParade #InternationalInstituteOfLosAngeles #LASouthernCaliforniaWildfires #ToolBank #UMCOR #iHeartRadio #LAWorks #JustServe #GEMCommunity #RecoveryWithHeart #WeShowUp
Myanmar Earthquake update….
GEM teams reporting live on @bbcnews from #Mandalay, #Myanmar. Special Missions Lead, Bob walks you through the latest situations on the ground and how we’re supporting by local empowering methods. Special thanks to @aerialrecoverygroup’s Heal the Hero’s program.
After an extremely complex undertaking, our GEM teams are on the ground inside Myanmar in #Mandalay. GEM is the first western team inside operating alongside our local @globalempowermentmissionasia teams. We are supporting earthquake victims at ground zero with vital aid.
In addition, our @globalempowermentmissioneurope teams are supporting Myanmar refugees on various Thai border towns.
Please see our bio-link tree to learn more or support. Special thanks to @aerialrecoverygroup Heal the Hero’s program.
Amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, @globalempowermentmissionmena in partnership with @hcicanada are delivering critical food boxes to families in urgent need. In a time of deep food insecurity, each box offers not just nourishment-but hope and solidarity. We’re incredibly grateful to the dedicated teams @globalempowermentmissionmena and @hcicanada whose tireless efforts are making this vital support possible for all those facing unimaginable hardship. #humanitarian #crisis #GEMmissions #HCI to learn more and how you can help, please visit the link in our bio section above.
GEM Europe is currently supporting Myanmar refugees that are on the border of Thailand in Mae Sot. The GEM team is proving these refugee’s with essential items and our GEM necessities kits. #Myanmar #Refugees #GEMeur, #GEMasia. To learn more visit the link in our bio section above. @globalempowermentmissioneur @globalempowermentmissionasia
Today we visited the factory where windows for the GEM HGBF Windows Program are manufactured. Recently, the facility was relocated in response to an increase in missile attacks on civilian infrastructure.
To date, the program has replaced 228,199 windows—providing critical support to over 701,951 people and helping prevent them from becoming internally displaced. Additionally, the GEM HGBF Windows Program has created more than 300 jobs.
#ukraine #gemmissions #hgbf #gemhgbf
GEM EU’s director of emergency response Wiktoria reporting live from #Bangkok on our team’s multi faceted response for the Thailand-Myanmar earthquake. @bbcnews #bangkok #myanmar #earthquake
In response to the devastating earthquake that hit Myanmar and was felt in parts of Thailand, our humanitarian team is currently on the ground in Thailand assessing the situation and coordinating relief efforts.
In Myanmar, more than 1,600 people have lost their lives, over 3,400 have been injured, and hundreds remain missing. In Thailand, at least 17 people have died, 32 are reported injured, and 83 individuals are still unaccounted for — many of them following the collapse of a high-rise building under construction in Bangkok. Over 12,000 structures are deemed unsafe, therefore causing a fairly large displaced population.
In close collaboration with the Evangelical Church in Bangkok, we are actively developing an effective response plan while conducting an on-site needs assessment to best meet the needs of the local community.
Tomorrow we begin producing relief boxes with a dedicated team of local volunteers. Each box will contain essential items—including food, hydrating drinks, hygiene products, and basic medical supplies.
We are also working with trusted local contacts to explore safe and efficient ways to deliver aid directly to affected areas of Myanmar, where the devastation has been even more severe. Our teams should arrive inside Myanmar shortly. To support this mission, please visit the link in the bio section above. @globalempowermentmissioneur
@globalempowermentmissionasia #myanmar #bangkok #thailand #earthquake #disaster #humanitarian #relief
BANGKOK EARTHQUAKE UPDATE: GEM Executive Vice Chair and founding board member Felicia Marquez is currently on the ground in Bangkok, Thailand, where a devastating earthquake caused major damage to infrastructure.
This moment hits close to home—Felicia first became part of GEM following the catastrophic 7.1 magnitude earthquake in Haiti in 2010. She knows firsthand how deep and long-lasting the impact of disasters like this can be.
Right now, tens of thousands of individuals and families are unable to return to their homes because of structural damage causing unsafe living conditions.
Every single donation counts. Click the link in our bio section above to donate and support our Phase 1 Immediate Response. If you can’t give, share this post with your friends, your family, and your community. Time is everything in a crisis. Let’s show up for these earthquake victims and begin to support their recovery during displacement. Our team will arrive in Bangkok tonight to begin immediate relief efforts. Thank you all for your support. @feliciamarquez @globalempowermentmissioneur @globalempowermentmissionasia #myanmar #bangkok #thailand #earthquake #disaster #humanitarian #relief
Urgent Earthquake Crisis in Southeast Asia - Myanmar and Thailand Hit Hard
GEM has deployed two ground teams—one to Myanmar and one to Thailand—to begin a Phase 1 response to a catastrophic 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck near the city of Mandalay, shaking the region to its core. The powerful tremors rippled dangerously across borders, jolting parts of Thailand and southern China. Just hours later, a massive 6.4-magnitude aftershock hit, compounding the devastation.
In Myanmar, several lives have been lost. The military government has confirmed that many more civilians have died or sustained serious injuries, and the death toll is expected to rise significantly as search and rescue efforts continue.
In neighboring Thailand, the quake’s impact was felt with deadly force. It triggered the collapse of multiple structures in Bangkok—more than 500 miles from the epicenter. Authorities are urgently working to rescue dozens individuals believed to be trapped beneath the rubble of a partially constructed high-rise.
As aftershocks continue and chaos deepens, both Myanmar and Thailand face a rapidly escalating humanitarian crisis. Rescue teams are racing against time—and the elements—in a desperate bid to save lives. #myanmar #bangkok #thailand #earthquake #disaster #humanitarian #relief To learn more visit the link in our bio section above. (📷Photo: AP/Sakchai Lalit and SAI AUNG MAIN/AFP) Myanmar mission co-operated by @aerialrecoverygroup’s Heal the Hero’s military professionals .Thailand by @globalempowermentmissionasia @globalempowermentmissioneur @mindfulskatergirl
Six months ago today, Hurricane Helene caused catastrophic devastation across Western North Carolina. GEM & BStrong responded immediately and were the first to deliver semi-trucks filled with aid and essential supplies to Asheville.
To date, #GEM #Bstrong has sent 35 semi-trucks of aid to the area, equipped 28 tradespeople with brand-new tools so they could return to work, and distributed over 120 Starlinks.
One of our most impactful initiatives has been the Small Business & Artisan Relief Fund. So far, over $500,000 has been granted to empower 79 small businesses and artisans to get back up and running—thanks to the David and Nicole Tepper Foundation and Bstrong. These grants have supported needs such as relocation assistance, rebuilding and construction, purchasing new equipment, and more.
GEM and Bstrong remain committed to Western North Carolina’s recovery, working to empower and support all those affected by Hurricane Helene. #DavidNicoleTepperFoundation #bstrong #hurricane #helene #northcarolina to learn more and how you can help, please visit the link in our bio section above. #horseshoefarm
Amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, @globalempowermentmissionmena in partnership with @hcicanada are delivering critical food boxes to families in urgent need. In a time of deep food insecurity, each box offers not just nourishment—but hope and solidarity. We’re incredibly grateful to the dedicated teams @globalempowermentmissionmena and @hcicanada whose tireless efforts are making this vital support possible for all those facing unimaginable hardship. #humanitarian #crisis #GEMmissions #HCI to learn more and how you can help, please visit the link in our bio section above.
GEM USA West, in partnership with Team Rubicon, is proud to announce the delivery of our first pallets of aid to the SoCal Multi-Agency Recovery Warehouse operated by GEM. Located in San Pedro, California, this massive 350,000 sq. ft. facility with 80 loading docks that will serve as a collaborative hub for numerous NGOs coming together to support the countless individuals impacted by the devastating Southern California wildfires. @teamrubicon #bstrong
GEM truck filled with aid at Bakersfield School in Missouri, where teams are offloading #GEM #Bstrong necessities kits for families in surrounding counties.
Many have lost their homes, their belongings—everything. These kits include food, water, hygiene kits, and other basic essentials. Ground teams will also be distributing #Bstrong Cash Cards that are so needed in the aftermath of such unimaginable loss. Thanks to @flewthecoop for all the Pet Essentials for all our furry friends.
More than 100 tornadoes, including three powerful EF4 storms, tore through 11 states, taking the lives of over two dozen people and leaving countless others to pick up the pieces. Our hearts are with the communities devastated by this catastrophic tornado outbreak.
We stand with you. To learn more and how you can help, please visit the link in our bio section above. #missourisema
#GEM #Bstrong @bethennyfrankel #flewthecoop #tornado #disaster #aftermath #Missouri
GEM LATAM Response to flooding in Argentina. To learn more and how you can help, please visit the link in our bio section above or here: https://www.globalempowermentmission.org/mission/argentina-floods/ #gemlatam #gemmissions #argentina #flood
Our GEM LATAM teams distributed food, water and family necessities kits to those in urgent need in Argentina. Record-breaking floods have devastated parts of Bahía Blanca, Argentina, where more than 400mm (15.7 in) of rain fell in just 8 hours—over twice the city’s previous record from 1930 and nearly a year’s worth of rainfall. Roads are destroyed, bridges washed away—only one crossing remains. With a population of 350,000, the city now faces an estimated $375 million in damage. 1,500+ people are displaced across 13 shelters, over 100 remain missing, and tragically, 16 lives have been lost. To learn more and how you can help, please visit the link in our bio section above.
#BahíaBlanca #BuenosAires #Argentina #Flood #DisasterRelief #GEMLatAm #humanitarian #relief
