Everybody can do something to welcome refugees resettling in U.S. communities. Setting an excellent example is Christ United Methodist Church in Syracuse, N.Y. Since 2002, the church’s all-volunteer Refugee Resettlement Mission project has been extending friendship and practical assistance to refugees living in the city’s Northside community. Most are from Burma, but the church’s outreach also touches refugees from Bhutan, …
Seeing lives changed in Vietnam
Joan Leof | March 25, 2013
Recently I traveled to northern Vietnam with a group of fellow CROP Hunger Walk volunteers to see firsthand how CROP Walk dollars are used. We visited several ethnic minority villages in the far northwestern district of Muong Te, which lies in the “frontier” region of Vietnam bordering China. The CWS staff in Vietnam had to get permission from the government …
“College Students Can Make A Difference – If You Just Let Them”
Rececca Hasko | March 22, 2013
Starting a CROP Hunger Walk at the University of Connecticut has been both a thrilling and frightening experience. I wanted to get involved because I truly believe in the cause; that there is enough food for all in this world. There is nothing better a person can do than to help those in need and I am fortunate to have …
The Road to Mission
Mission work for CWS can be overwhelming when learning about the great need facing our neighbors at home and around the world. Faith communities can become discouraged because of numbers—not enough members, not enough minutes in the day, or not enough square feet in the building to do the work. The Road (Disciples of Christ), a new congregation in Fairfax, …
Heartfelt Help
March 21, 2013
Often, the first thing CWS provides in an emergency is a blanket for warmth, comfort, and sometimes, even shelter. But as needs change, other things are required – tents, food, water, and the tools and materials to rebuild. That’s why it’s called Blankets+, and it’s a great way for our congregation to provide essential aid to victims of disasters, seeds …
Superstorm Sandy: CWS partner response
March 20, 2013
Situation: Response operations continue for Superstorm Sandy. The unmet needs of many at-risk populations are estimated at over $2 billion. People are beginning rebuilding and repairs, but the bulk of the reconstruction will not start until long-term recovery organizations are up and running to manage the activities. See Part One – CWS Response for a full situation update. CWS participating …
Superstorm Sandy 2012 (U.S.) CWS response
Appeal # 627 W Appeal goal: $618,000 Funds received as of 02/28/13: $588,290 Part one: CWS response (See also Part Two – Partner Response by Denominations/Communions) Situation: Response operations continue for Superstorm Sandy. Many homes still require debris removal and temporary repairs before they can be reoccupied. This work will continue throughout the spring and into early summer. According to …
Water for Life in Central America
Don Tatlock |
In my current visit to Guatemala and Honduras water has been on my mind. I’m thinking about World Water Day and visiting several of the communities and families where CWS works. It’s funny how we look at water and how it affects us and sometimes it’s hard to even imagine the challenges and difficulties rural families in Central America face …
Water, Gardens and the Weenhayek
Fionuala Cregan |
Weenhayek community leader Emeterio Torres tells us how, just 10 years ago, to visit a government office or participate in meetings involved a one day bicycle ride on dusty unpaved paths across dense Chaco forest. Punctures were a regular occurrence and repair kits an essential travel companion. Today that has all changed. Today we arrived in Emeterio´s community by road, …
Superstorm Sandy: long term recovery
Chris Herlinger/ CWS | March 19, 2013
New York, N.Y. -– Responding to an emergency in New York City is not like responding to one in, say, rural Missouri. Call it the density equation. There are more people in New York, more neighborhoods, more people packed in neighborhoods, more social service agencies at work. In many ways that means more or certainly different challenges, said CWS Emergency …