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Who We Are

Our Story

In 2012, after hearing a pastor speak about emergency preparedness, Debra Williams was inspired to send out her personal camping supplies list as a resource to her email list. Seeing a need in the community, she began speaking at churches throughout the Inland Empire about disaster preparedness. Soon after, Williams founded Building Resilient Communities. In the years since BRC has grown into one of the leading resources for residents and organizations looking to prepare for natural and human-made disasters. We have provided training and resources for more than 600 faith-based organizations and thousands of residents as well as support during times of disaster.

Our Mission

Building Resilient Communities convenes partners to strengthen belonging, breakdown silos, and elevate community voices. We educate communities and leaders while advocating for equitable improvements that foster resilience and well-being for all.

Our Vision

BRC envisions a world where communities are filled with hope, overcome adverse conditions, are prepared for disasters, and recover from disruptive experiences.

Our Core Values

Excellence: We strive to achieve our maximum potential in all that we do.
Resourcefulness: We make the best use of resources and opportunities.
Safety: We strive to achieve safety in all areas of our operation and to ensure public safety through our programs.
Teamwork: We use our individual knowledge, skills and abilities in cooperation and support of one another to achieve our common mission.
Reliability: We do what we say we’re going to do.
Service to Society: We work for the well-being of the people in the communities we serve to ensure they experience dignity and respect.

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“Resilience is the capacity of any entity—an individual, a community, an organization, or a natural system—to prepare for disruption, to recover from shocks and stresses, and to adapt and grow from a disruptive experience. As you build resilience, therefore, you become more able to prevent or mitigate stresses and shocks you can identify and better able to respond to those you can’t predict or avoid. You also develop greater capacity to bounce back from a crisis, learn from it, and achieve revitalization.” “In the twenty-first century, building resilience is one of our most urgent social and economic issues because we live in a world that is defined by disruptions.” Judith Rodin, Being Strong in a World Where Things Go Wrong: the Resilience Dividend

Our Impact

BRC works with a trusted network of partners to help communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from crises. We equip hundreds of faith, community, and business leaders with disaster preparedness tools, resources, and timely emergency updates, providing thousands of people with critical information to stay safe during wildfires, floods, earthquakes, pandemics, and other emergencies.

Our Areas of Impact

Disaster Preparedness & Response: Strengthening communities to anticipate, withstand, and recover from emergencies.
Climate Resilience: Addressing climate challenges through sustainable, community-centered solutions.
Health Equity: Promoting fair access to health resources so all communities can thrive.
Community Connection: Connecting people, partners, and resources to build collective resilience

How We Do It

BRC brings people together to turn connection into action. We convene individuals and organizations, break down silos, elevate community voices, and educate residents and decision-makers while advocating for equitable community improvements. When emergencies arise, we act quickly, providing hands-on support such as distributing thousands of face masks, hand sanitizers, and test kits during COVID-19. We strengthen our response by collaborating with Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) and working closely with public partners including Riverside County EMD and San Bernardino County OES. Grounded in preparedness and driven by partnership, we meet communities where they are to build lasting resilience.