Texan humanitarian finds a deeper appreciation in wake of winter storm

News & Updates | Posted Wednesday, March 3, 2021

Emily Speight has been walking and raising funds for the Austin CROP Hunger Walk for years, but this weekend’s Walk has a deeper meaning. During the disastrous winter storm last week, Emily had a moment of reflection on how her own experience relates to the experiences of those who struggle on a daily basis. “On Thursday, day two for us …

Hurricanes Eta and Iota in Nicaragua

News & Updates | Posted Wednesday, January 13, 2021

In early November 2020, Hurricane Eta slammed into Nicaragua’s Atlantic coast. Two weeks later, Hurricane Iota struck the same communities. These back-to-back blows destroyed homes, crops, animals and livelihoods.  CWS and our partners have worked with communities in the area for years. We support the food security and community development work of trusted local organization Accion Medica Cristiana, or AMC. …

UPDATED Emergency Appeal: Hurricanes Eta and Iota in Central America

News & Updates | Posted Wednesday, November 25, 2020

Appeal Code: 628M This Appeal is an update to our Emergency Appeal, issued on November 9. Situation Two weeks after Hurricane Eta’s destruction, Hurricane Iota hit many of the same communities across Central America. Both storms made landfall as Category 4 major hurricanes, and Iota slammed into Nicaragua’s Atlantic Coast just 15 miles south of where Eta struck. It brought …

Emergency Appeal: Hurricane Eta in Central America

News & Updates | Posted Monday, November 9, 2020

Appeal Code: 628M This Appeal is an update to our Situation Report, issued on November 6. Situation Hurricane Eta hit Nicaragua as a Category 4 major hurricane on Tuesday, November 3. The storm went on to pound Honduras and Guatemala with torrential rain, causing landslides and widespread flooding. Rain continued for several days, stalling rescue operations and exacerbating the situation …

Situation Report: Hurricane Eta in Central America

News & Updates | Posted Friday, November 6, 2020

Appeal Code: 628M Situation Hurricane Eta hit Nicaragua on Tuesday, November 3, as a Category 4 storm. The Washington Post reports, “Hurricane Eta slammed into Nicaragua with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph on Tuesday, but the monstrous hurricane was even stronger Monday evening, when satellite data suggested that the storm contained 190 mph winds near its core. If this …

Hope During Tough Times for a Community in New York

News & Updates | Posted Wednesday, October 21, 2020

Many families in Jamaica, New York, are struggling to put nutritious food on the table and pay bills. In the early 2000s, attorney Elizabeth Ozo-Onyali started to notice how her neighbors needed help. They needed HOPE. And, in 2005, Project Hope Charities was born. They provide a variety of community programs that fight hunger, help families overcome poverty, empower youth …

Updated Situation Report: Hurricane Season 2020

News & Updates | Posted Thursday, September 3, 2020

Appeal Code: 628M September 16 update: Hurricane Sally made landfall in Alabama last night, bringing two feet of rain to some areas. We are working with our local partners to determine our response plan. We will respond to requests for CWS Kits, Emergency Cleanup Buckets and Blankets, and we anticipate focusing on long-term recovery needs as well. More information will …

Blanket Mission

Minute for Mission Even in the midst of crisis, CWS Blankets are used to respond to our neighbors in need. Through the generosity of congregations and our partners, vulnerable neighbors can keep warm with clean blankets and fresh linens. This Minute for Mission video is a quick overview of the CWS Blanket program you can share with your congregation. Both …

Situation Report: Hurricane Season 2020

News & Updates | Posted Tuesday, July 28, 2020

Appeal Code: 628M August 27 update: Last night, Hurricane Laura slammed into the U.S. Gulf Coast as a Category 4 storm with 150 mile-per-hour winds. We are working with our local partners in Texas and Louisiana to determine our response plan. CWS Hygiene Kits and Emergency Cleanup Buckets are already on their way to Texas for the relief effort, and …

Building Resilience in the Face of Cascading Disasters in Kenya

News & Updates | Posted Thursday, June 25, 2020

In 2016 and 2017, many parts of Kenya suffered through long, ravaging droughts. In 2018 and 2019, climate change flipped this vicious cycle, and heavy rains wreaked havoc on many of the same areas. Among the affected areas was West Pokot County, in Kenya’s North Rift region. During the extended droughts, crops failed and livestock died. An increasing number of …