Children’s Disaster Services sends team to St. Louis following tornado

By Carolyn Neher

Children’s Disaster Services (CDS) has been requested to serve in St. Louis, Mo., in two shelters accommodating survivors of a massive tornado that hit the city on May 16.

A CDS team of four volunteers will spend two weeks providing care for children in the shelters, providing parents and guardians with the assurance that their children are in a safe and supportive environment while they take the time to concentrate on next steps in their families’ recovery, including their own self-care.

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.

CDS care centers are spaces where children find respite from the chaos they have experienced. Volunteers bring a “Kit of Comfort,” a suitcase thoughtfully filled with specific toys, designed to aid children in processing their experiences through play. CDS volunteers are trained to be present and allow the child to lead in play, creating a nurturing environment that addresses the child’s emotional needs and helps them begin their journey toward emotional and physical recovery.