Church of the Brethren care for Children in Disaster Areas

May 21, 2013 "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble" (Psalm 46:1).

Children’s Disaster Services sends teams to Oklahoma; Brethren urged to support the work of child care volunteers through donations to the EDF

Children's Disaster Services (CDS), a department within Brethren Disaster Ministries, has sent members of its Critical Response Team to care for children and families affected by the powerful tornado that struck Moore, Okla., Monday May 20 causing 24 confirmed deaths including at least 9 elementary school children.

The American Red Cross has confirmed the need for CDS volunteers to care for children in their Family Assistance Centers. CDS has mobilized two teams to be at work in Oklahoma, including four Critical Response Childcare volunteers, several regional caregivers, and a project manager. The Critical Response Team has additional training to help children and families cope with extreme trauma and loss of loved ones.

Established in 1980, Children’s Disaster Services works cooperatively with FEMA and the American Red Cross to provide care for children and families following disasters, through the work of trained and certified volunteers who set up child care centers in shelters and disaster assistance centers. Specially trained to respond to traumatized children, the volunteers provide a calm, safe, and reassuring presence in the midst of the chaos created by disasters.

Donations to the Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF) of the Church of the Brethren will support the response by Children’s Disaster Services. Go to www.brethren.org/edf or send a check to the Emergency Disaster Fund, Church of the Brethren General Offices, 1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120.

Copied from NEWSLINE The Church of the Brethren e-mail news service