Brethren Disaster Ministries announces a new rebuilding site location for 2023

By Jenn Dorsch-Messler

Starting in 2023, a new rebuilding project by Brethren Disaster Ministries is scheduled to open for volunteers to serve in Dawson Springs, Ky. One year ago, on Dec. 10, 2021, this community was devastated by a tornado that destroyed an estimated 75 percent of the town and killed 15 people. Brethren Disaster Ministries previously provided a short-term response of volunteers to serve in this area, for three weeks in October 2022.

Please pray… For the Brethren Disaster Ministries volunteers and staff who will work at the new rebuilding project site in Dawson Springs, Ky., that their work will be safe and successful.

This work primarily will be building new homes, as 400 housing units in town were lost. Brethren Disaster Ministries will partner with the Hopkins County Long Term Recovery Group and Habitat for Humanity Pennyrile Region, which have identified the survivors who qualify for assistance.

The current Brethren Disaster Ministries rebuilding site in Waverly, Tenn., is closing on Dec. 16, when another recovery organization is returning to finish the remaining work. The Brethren Disaster Ministries equipment and vehicles in Waverly will be moved to Dawson Springs for storage during a Christmas break.

Temporary volunteer housing has been identified at a facility owned by the Habitat for Humanity Pennyrile Region in Madisonville, Ky., to welcome volunteer groups starting Jan. 8, 2023. Pending long-term volunteer housing availability, this Brethren Disaster Ministries site is scheduled to be open for at least six months and hopefully longer due to the amount of work that is needed.

There are many more details on the website for this new project site, including video footage of the damage in the days right after the tornado. Go to www.brethren.org/bdm/rebuild/projects.

— Jenn Dorsch-Messler is director of Brethren Disaster Ministries. Find out more about this Church of the Brethren ministry at www.brethren.org/bdm.

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