2,000 CWS Emergency Cleanup Buckets arrived in Detroit August 19 for distribution by the American Red Cross to survivors cleaning up from the August 11 flash floods. Buckets were taken right off the truck and into Mobile Emergency Response Vehicles and quickly distributed in several locations. Photo: American Red Cross
Thousands of householders in Southeastern Michigan still need help following last August’s devastating flooding. About one in five of them is a senior citizen.
An estimated 900 households still need volunteers to muck out their basements, and that’s just the first step in the long-term recovery process. After the muck-out there will certainly be a need for mold remediation, replacement of furnaces, reconstruction and repairs. And the list goes on.
Disaster recovery requires a “whole community” approach. The participation of faith-based and other community leaders is essential. All who are dedicated to helping rebuild homes and lives are invited to a free, day-long workshop on December 16 organized by Church World Service to learn more about how disaster long-term recovery works and how they can be involved.
What: “Recovery Tools and Training” Workshop
Led by: Disaster recovery specialists from Church World Service, UMCOR, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, Lutheran Disaster Response and World Renew
When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 16 (check in at 8:30)
Where: Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, 8129 Packard Ave., Warren, Mich.
Cost: There is no cost for the training, lunch or materials. The training is a gift of Church World Service and its member communions.
To register: Contact Susanne Gilmore at sgilmore@cwsglobal.org or 785-341-8203.
The workshop will give an overview of long-term recovery, to include Disaster Case Management, Volunteer Management, Construction Management and Emotional & Spiritual Care.
Church World Service, the international humanitarian agency, is organizing the workshop. In addition to working to support community-based long-term disaster recovery, CWS resettles refugees and fights hunger and poverty in the United States and around the world. The Southeastern Michigan faith community is a strong supporter of CWS and its CROP Hunger Walk.