In times of great need many ask, “What can I do to help?” Often people feel they could help more if they knew what to do, or felt confident that they could contribute effective help.

The solution is the Volunteer Minister Program a worldwide movement open to anyone interested in helping others.

The program answers the question “What can I do to help?” providing a broad range of practical skills based on a true understanding of the spiritual nature of man and the factors that influence his survival. With these skills, the Volunteer Minister can relieve pain and sorrow, remedy confusion, conflict, upset and failure.

In a 1976 essay, “Religious Influence in Society; the Role of the Volunteer Minister,” L. Ron Hubbard defined the Volunteer Minister as “a person who helps his fellow man on a volunteer basis by restoring purpose, truth and spiritual values to the lives of others.” Thus was born a broad-based movement of individuals from all walks of life dedicated to providing practical assistance to others anywhere in the world.

By applying fundamental Scientology techniques which anyone can use, Volunteer Ministers embody the truth that when Scientology is used, conditions improve.

CURRENT ACTIVITIES

Since hearing of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on September 11, Volunteer Ministers have been providing their services in New York City and Washington, D.C.

The ongoing efforts by our ministers, as described below, are creating miracles—bringing widespread relief from trauma, pain and sorrow to the many so afflicted.

But more help is needed and we encourage you to become an active Volunteer Minister today.

WASHINGTON, D.C.

Scientology Volunteer Ministers in Washington, D.C., worked with a Baptist relief agency brought in by the Red Cross, taking their night shift so the Baptist volunteers could get some sleep. Volunteer Ministers provided food and coffee through many nights to police, FBI, firefighters, hazardous materials handlers, morgue workers, and military personnel working on rescue and recovery operations at the Pentagon. Personnel who had been working in 50-degree weather, confronting the appalling devastation, were also given warm clothes and emotional reassurance.

The Volunteer Ministers talked with those who needed solace, acknowledged all workers for their dedication and perseverance and delivered assists. They are working alongside Red Cross workers and volunteers from other religions.

Due to the value of their work, relief coordinators at the Pentagon asked them to continue assisting on night shifts.

NEW YORK

The first group of Volunteer Ministers established operations at the Stuyvesant School, which was a main staging area for relief efforts for Ground Zero (World Trade Center) site. The Volunteer Ministers so efficiently organized the relief operations, they were placed in charge by the police. In conjunction with the Red Cross, the center has serviced hundreds of firefighters, policemen, medical workers and other rescuers with food, drink and clothing.

As all our Volunteer Ministers wear the distinctive yellow t-shirt with the Scientology cross on it for easy recognition, the standard direction became “go and see the Scientologists.” That phrase was heard throughout the days and nights, as the Volunteer Ministers had quickly become trusted and known for their good works within the relief area.

Teams of Volunteer Ministers have helped hundreds of traumatized people, giving assists,* talking, listening, calming them and bringing them out of the horror of the incident.

The Volunteer Ministers have activated other volunteers to help. After receiving an assist and deciding to help others, one young woman immediately reunited a husband and wife who had become separated in the chaos. Many other volunteers (including social workers and psychologists and psychiatrists) have been trained on the assist technology and are using it at the site with miraculous successes.

As a result, the Volunteer Ministers have become a crucial component of the rescue/relief operation, both at the site and nearby relief centers providing real help to those working there. Hundreds of assists have been delivered to firefighters, police, volunteers and other relief workers. And those receiving the assists, though often very tired, uniformly find themselves rejuvenated and alert and able to continue their work.

One portion of a building had caved in and rescue workers suffered various injuries. Many received assists and they came out relieved and in much better spirits.

When the bodies of the fallen firefighters were found, one of the rescue workers asked the Volunteer Ministers over to help “because a lot of people are going to be upset today” and would need assistance. Medics and volunteers from other groups now routinely refer people to the Volunteer Ministers. One NYPD medic told others “These guys create miracles.”

* ASSISTS: One of the ways a Volunteer Minister helps others is by giving Scientology assists. These simple techniques, which anyone can learn, alleviate the spiritual component of physical pain, shock and emotional trauma. Assists relieve stress and physical aches and pains, and orient a confused or distraught individual to his present environment.

The Church urges people to remain calm and be ready and willing to help neighbors in need of assistance. To find out what you can do, click I WANT TO HELP or contact your local Church of Scientology or call 1-800-334-LIFE.