Brethren Disaster Ministries – Brethren Volunteer Service

Brethren Disaster Ministries (BDM) is a program of the Church of the Brethren that repairs and rebuilds homes for survivors of natural disasters across the United States.

Website: http://www.brethrendisasterministries.org

Job Descriptions

“If you want an experience like you have never had before, if you are wanting to try something out of your comfort zone, if you want to feel truly alive again, you will be blessed with this opportunity [as a BVS volunteer]. BVS is an experience I will always treasure, and I would recommend it to both the young and the more mature alike.” Martie Hummer, BVS volunteer working with BDM, 2022-23
Brethren Disaster Ministries (BDM) is a program of the Church of the Brethren that repairs and rebuilds homes for survivors of natural disasters across the United States.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bdm.cob
Website: www.brethrendisasterministries.org or https://www.brethren.org/bdm/rebuild/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPwg6iPFotfjvcpn-L4DHlzeFHJ3zDmCL
Listen to the Dunker Punk’s Podcast focused on a former BVS Volunteer with BDM
“In his work as a Brethren Volunteer Service person, Evan Ulrich continues to learn about what it means to love and serve as a Christian. Listen to hear more about the work of Brethren Disaster Ministries, the impact that volunteering has on your life and the lives of the people you work with, and how caring for others is not a partisan idea.” Listen here starting at minute 1:37.

Job Descriptions

Brethren Disaster Ministries (BDM) Rebuild Program seeks Disaster Project Leaders to work at various disaster recovery projects in the United States and become part of the recovering community. They help to foster good relationships with the disaster survivors, our partner agencies, and other community members, as well as with weekly disaster response volunteers, who range in age from 14 to older adult. The BVS volunteers work with other monthly disaster project leaders to form a leadership team and live in community with these leaders and the weekly volunteers. Meals (mostly prepared by others), housing, and project vehicles are provided.

The best candidates are:

self-motivated
flexible
problem solvers
willing to be an active part of a leadership team
willing to lead a team of volunteers
not afraid to ask questions
able to find where to get answers to their own and other’s questions
Comfortable interacting with volunteers and leaders who

May not be the same age as you and are mostly age 60 or above
May hold a different social or theological belief
May not be from the same the same area of the country

open to learn new skills and about new perspectives
respectful of and willing to interact with the community where they live and serve
willing to pitch in and help wherever needed/whenever asked
comfortable with driving or learning to drive 12-passenger vans and/or pickup trucks (must be 21)
willing and open to travel
willing to represent the Church of the Brethren and be a Christian witness

(A) The Jobsite Disaster Project Leader is responsible for supporting volunteer supervision, supply purchase, general worksite coordination, interagency relationships, and tool trailer inventory. Construction skills are helpful but not required.

(B) The Office Disaster Project Leader is responsible for supporting household and office management, including working in Microsoft Office and Google Drive for the tracking and reporting of finances and paperwork for volunteers and clients. This position also supports other household responsibilities as needed and builds relationships with local partners and incoming group leaders.

Where Do Volunteers Live?

BVS volunteers most likely live in the same housing facility as the weekly volunteer groups. Depending on the BDM project housing site, this can be a shared space with another disaster project leader, or they may have a room to themself. All other areas of the housing facility are shared with the volunteers and other leaders. The housing facility is often a space used by a wider community (e.g., church, community center) which requires interaction with others sharing the building.

BVS volunteers live in a community that has been recently impacted by a disaster. This may mean that some businesses may not have reopened, families are still recovering, and that they will encounter other disruptions to what was “normal” before the disaster. A listening ear is important as many survivors share their story as part of their healing process. Volunteers may be there for anniversaries of the event, which can be very traumatizing for individuals and entire communities.

The following video is an example of a BDM project where BVS volunteers have served.

Reasons to Serve with BDM

A list of the 10 reasons why you should serve on a BDM rebuilding site.

Free food! Home cooked meals every breakfast and dinner! Pack your lunch to take each day.
There are always things to do. It is a fast-paced work environment with something new every day.
Live in and experience a new part of the United States.
Gain invaluable knowledge, skills, and experience with home construction/disaster relief with many, many mentors and teachers.
Connect spiritually with other volunteers with daily devotions.
Work with hundreds of volunteers from all over the country over the course of the year.
Large support network—everyone you work with has the same goal of sharing the burdens of others.
BDM has a large inventory of tools and supplies. You will always learn something new!
Build deep connections with other long-term volunteers and community members that will last a lifetime.
Have the opportunity and privilege to be of service to another human being in their greatest time of need. The families we serve could not recover without your help!

420: Brethren Disaster Ministries

Job Descriptions

Job Descriptions

Where Do Volunteers Live?

Reasons to Serve with BDM

Other Articles, News, and Videos about BDM and our Partners: