After fire recovery trainings, new On Mission Network volunteers start working immediately by building sifter boxes which will be used to help homeowners find salvageable items amongst the ashes of their house.

Trainings are being held at several area churches including Saddleback (pictured above), Mosaic, Grace, Highlands, and others in the Charis and Trellis church networks around Southern California. The attendees learn the proper way to conduct Personal Property Recover (PPR) or "Ash out". During deployment the volunteers sift through ash with the homeowner to find memorabilia that connects them to their history. Items typically searched for include wedding bands, jewelry, photo albums, and even Christmas ornaments.

The time spent with the homeowner, even if nothing is salvageable, is a start to their healing process and an opportunity to provide a listening ear and a ray of hope.