 A Children's Disaster Services volunteer helps a boy rebuild his world. |
Children's Disaster ServicesNurturing childrenSince 1980 Children’s Disaster Services (CDS) has been meeting the needs of children by setting up child care centers in shelters and disaster assistance centers across the nation. Specially trained to respond to traumatized children, volunteers provide a calm, safe and reassuring presence in the midst of the chaos created by tornadoes, floods, hurricanes, wildfires any natural or human caused disaster. Volunteers from across the country
Volunteers arrive to a disaster location with a “Kit of Comfort” containing carefully selected toys that promote imaginative play. Volunteers give children individualized attention and encourage them to express themselves, thereby starting the healing process. Although many volunteers are motivated by faith, CDS’ training is open to anyone over 18 years old. CDS provides respite, education and individualized consultation for parents about their child’s unique emotional needs after a disaster. Through consultation or workshops specifically tailored to each situation, CDS also works with parents, community agencies, schools or others to help them understand and meet the special needs of children during or after a disaster. Contact usChildren's Disaster Services
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"Volunteers help give children reassurance at Monmouth Park shelter" (Asbury Park Press, 11/18/2012) USA Today quotes CDS (11/16/2012) "Children's Disaster Services is the best..." (Canton Patch, 8/24/2012) WHSV news story on CDS volunteers in Joplin, Missouri (5/22/2012) Read Herald-Review report on CDS (2/25/2012) Read a San Gabriel Tribune story about CDS workshops (2/22/2012) Read a journal article on CDS (PDF, see pages 2-4). Recent CDS newsChildren’s Disaster Services continues to aid families recovering from storm (November 28, 2012) By the end of the day yesterday, Nov. 27, Children’s Disaster Services (CDS) had six volunteers working at FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers--continuing the response that CDS has made to the “superstorm” Sandy. Church fund makes grants for Sandy response, new BDM project in Binghamton, NY (November 14, 2012) “During a disaster such as this, now is the time to remember that the most important humanitarian donation an individual can make is cash,” notes Brethren Disaster Ministries in an e-mail update this week about its response to Hurricane Sandy. The reminder comes at a time when the Church of the Brethren’s Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF)--which spports the work of Brethren Disaster Ministries--has made its first grants toward the Sandy relief effort. “Once damage assessments are complete, Brethren Disaster Ministries will develop plans for future long-term recovery activities including major home repairs and rebuilds,” reports Roy Winter, associate executive director. Children’s Disaster Services cares for children in shelters in New Jersey and New York (November 8, 2012) Two teams of volunteers from Children’s Disaster Services (CDS) are at work caring for children in shelters in New York and New Jersey. The teams have set up child care centers in a shelter at Nassau Community College in Garden City, N.Y., and in a new shelter that just opened in Tuckerton, N.J.
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