Children’s Disaster Services sends second team to serve in St. Louis

By Carolyn Neher

Responding to the May 16 tornado in St. Louis, Mo., Children’s Disaster Services (CDS) is sending a second team of volunteers to assist affected families. The EF3 mile-wide tornado with winds reaching 152 miles per hour tore through greater St. Louis for 24 minutes, resulting in 5 fatalities, 38 injuries, and an estimated $1.6 billion in damage. This event marked the most significant residential damage in the area since the 2011 tornado in Joplin, Mo., to which CDS also responded.

This second team includes volunteers from Missouri, Iowa, and Illinois. They will work in a disaster assistance center. Their primary role is to provide a safe and comforting play space for children whose families are seeking assistance. This allows parents to focus on receiving emotional, financial, or physical aid for their recovery, knowing their children are in a supportive environment.

CDS care centers are designed to offer children respite from the trauma they’ve experienced. Volunteers arrive with a “Kit of Comfort,” a suitcase filled with carefully selected toys that encourage children to process their experiences through play. CDS volunteers are specifically trained to be present, allowing children to lead their play, which fosters a nurturing atmosphere conducive to emotional and physical recovery.

CDS is grateful for local volunteers who are able to respond quickly and serve the youngest survivors of disasters.

— Carolyn Neher is associate director of Children’s Disaster Services. Find out more about CDS at www.brethren.org/cds