People Who Value Desperate Communities

News & Updates | Posted Sunday, February 2, 2014

In my twelve years on staff with CWS I have had the opportunity to really get to know and understand this organization.  I have had the pleasure of personally visiting CWS partners and projects in Nicaragua, Haiti, Dominican Republic and most recently in Kenya and Tanzania.  These partners and projects vary widely in their location, language, culture and focus, but …

When a Blanket Counts

News & Updates | Posted Thursday, January 9, 2014

I just got a little taste of what it’s like to be affected by a disaster and suddenly in need of a CWS Blanket. It was just for one night. But it was enough to remind me that disaster and need can hit anyone. And it was enough to make me proud of CWS and all who support our Blanket …

“Like New”

News & Updates | Posted Monday, December 23, 2013

Christmas can be a profoundly joy-filled holiday. Beyond all of the gift giving, and gift getting, it is a celebration, for Christians, of the birth of Jesus. The meaning of Christmas can be understood as the incarnation of God’s Kingdom on earth; there is something new born into the world that has the power to redeem us. This is an …

No Major Natural Disaster in the U.S. This Year?

News & Updates | Posted Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Thankfully, the United States didn’t suffer a Katrina- or Sandy-scale disaster in 2013. Or did it? An incessant string of regional disasters has affected thousands of households. There was not a neat “spring storms” or “fall tornadoes” season this year. Instead, since the spring, the disasters have just kept on coming and the toll has mounted in deaths, injuries and …

Ongoing Recovery Efforts in the Philippines

News & Updates | Posted Friday, November 22, 2013

APPEAL CODE:  #700-M APPEAL GOAL:  $750,000 SITUATION: Recovery efforts in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines are ongoing with continued needs that remain staggering. According to the United Nations, 13.2 million were affected; 4.33 million people were displaced; and 1 million homes were damaged. In addition, 2.5 million people require urgent food assistance. CWS RESPONSE: CWS continues supporting …

CWS Extends Relief, Recovery Aid to Storm-battered US Midwest

News & Updates | Posted Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Church World Service is actively involved with all entities engaged in the relief and recovery efforts following severe weather Sunday, Nov. 17, that battered hundreds of households in 14 US. Midwestern states. The first 200 CWS Emergency Cleanup Buckets are on their way now to Illinois, the state hardest hit by Sunday’s devastating string of tornadoes, hail and high-wind events. …

Appeal Update #5: 2013 US Storms, Floods, Tornadoes and Wildfires

News & Updates | Posted Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Appeal # 627 Y Initial appeal goal: $120,000 Revised appeal goal: $150,000 Received to date: $32,000 Situation: Tornadoes, severe thunderstorms and straight line winds of more than 80 mph hit the Middle Mississippi River Valley, the lower Great Lakes and the Ohio Valley on Sunday, Nov. 17.  There were 91 tornadoes, 565 high wind events and 42 hail events, with …

CWS Expands Appeal to Assist Typhoon Haiyan Survivors

News & Updates | Posted Wednesday, November 13, 2013

APPEAL CODE:  #700-M APPEAL GOAL (revised):  $750,000 SITUATION: The estimated number of fatalities from Typhoon Haiyan continues to fluctuate between 2,000 and 10,000. Whatever the final numbers, Typhoon Haiyan’s effects have been devastating, with aid channels slowed due to severe damage to infrastructure and officials urging residents of decimated cities such as Tacloban to leave and relocate. Typhoon Haiyan, with …

From Numbness to Action: Ending World Hunger

News & Updates | Posted Friday, October 25, 2013

As originally published by Sojourners, 10/18/2013, 4:32 p.m. http://sojo.net/blogs/2013/10/18/numbness-action-ending-world-hunger My child ate today. Breakfast was pancakes and sausage. Walking to school I said, “If you don’t like the leftover hamburger that I put in your lunchbox, just buy something from the cafeteria. You have plenty of money in your account.” Tonight we will have tacos, but if I am too …

CWS responds to U.S. Storms, Floods, Tornadoes, Wildfires

News & Updates | Posted Monday, September 30, 2013

Appeal # 627 Y Initial Appeal Goal: $120,000 Revised Appeal Goal: $150,000 Received to Date: $27,000 Situation: Heavy rains Sept. 9-16 caused severe flooding in Colorado.  In most of the affected areas, rains exceeded 20 inches over several days.  As many as five dams burst or were overtopped, causing additional flooding.  The flood emergency has affected an area of more …