Directly connecting denominations and churches with people in need, the Council is an integral part of the Virginia VOAD, or Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster. As one of the Founding member of VA VOAD, the Council works with this organization to reach out to Virginians affected by natural or man-made disasters, and to help prepare Virginians to respond to emergencies. After Hurricane Isabel, the VOAD took on a greater role in the state response to emergencies. In 2005, this role expanded even further with the VOAD and the Virginia Council of Churches taken on a major responsibility in helping to develop the planning and response to emergencies within the Commonwealth.