By Carolyn Neher
On March 16-17, Children’s Disaster Services (CDS), responded in Aroma Park, Ill., a suburb of Kankakee. The CDS volunteers served at a Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) supporting the community following a tornado that passed through Aroma Park on March 10.
On March 20-21, CDS responded in Union City and Three Rivers, Mich., at MARCs supporting those communities following a tornado that passed through the cities. In Union City, an EF3 tornado damaged or destroyed approximately 70 homes in the area, 3 people were killed, and 12 more were injured.
In Aroma Park, through communication during coordination calls with the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD) and state or county COADs, CDS connected with emergency management to offer care for children of those impacted and who were coming to the MARC. The assistance center was open Monday, March 16, and Tuesday, March 17, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. CDS volunteers cared for children ages infant through age 15 while their parents received help and information on how to move forward after the destruction of their homes.
In Michigan, Wendy Russell, a CDS volunteer and area coordinator as well as the Michigan District disaster coordinator for Brethren Disaster Ministries, made the connection with the State Voluntary Agency Liaison. The Michigan VOAD initiated a coordination call where the connection was made. Due to Russell’s participation on the call, CDS provided a team of local volunteers from Indiana and Michigan to offer a calm presence and care for children ages 3 months to 11 years while their parents received help and information on how to move forward after the destruction of their homes.
CDS is a ministry within Brethren Disaster Ministries. Support this response financially by donating at https://churchofthebrethren.givingfuel.com/all-ministries?registrants.fund=%3EChildren%27s%20Disaster%20Services%5e
Find out more about CDS and its work to serve children and families affected by disaster at www.brethren.org/cds
#MissionAndMinistryBoard #StrategicPlan #RacialJustice #LoveOurNeighbors #Discipleship #NewTestamentGiving
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Below: Deana Ward cares for a young child as part of the CDS response in Michigan. Photo by Tammy Tucker
