The Brethren Disaster Ministries of the Southern Ohio District was formed in the early 1970’s by several Church of the Brethren congregations throughout western and southern Ohio.  This ministry was started with the understanding that natural disasters can destroy communities and devastate families in a matter of moments. The Brethren Disaster Ministries (BDM) works to help the most vulnerable survivors … Read More

Note: This post was originally published on the CWS blog. Nestled along the Appalachian Mountains, the Upper East Tennessee Human Development Agency is in the heart of poverty-ridden America. UETHDA serves Carter, Greene, Hancock, Hawkins, Johnson, Sullivan, Unicoi and Washington counties. Teams in each of the agency’s nine Neighborhood Service Centers work daily to help clients overcome the daily hardships … Read More

Note: This post was originally published on the CWS blog. The residents of southern California are accustomed to wildfires during the summer.  But this summer was different. The fires were more intense. A record-setting heat wave, coupled with moderate winds, sparked brush fires across southern California that destroyed homes and forced thousands to evacuate. Not knowing whether their homes would … Read More

Everyone – staff and clients — at Episcopal Community Health Services, known as ECHOS, in southwest Houston know it when they see it. Cathy Moore, ECHOS Director, and her staff know that people who come to ECHOS are trying to stabilize and improve their lives in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. Even now, months after the storm, folks are rebuilding … Read More

Kentucky may be in the south, but that doesn’t prevent the state from experiencing extreme bouts of cold in the winter, particularly in the evenings when it frequently drops below freezing. This is particularly difficult for those who are experiencing homelessness. WestCare Kentucky Emergency Shelter in Pikeville is described by director Anna Coleman as Pikeville’s “…best kept secret” since many … Read More

United Church of Christ congregations across the country are collaborating with other churches, businesses and organizations around emergency clean-up buckets, to make sure the much-needed supplies get to the people who need them in Texas, Florida and beyond. Just this week, more than 1,000 five-gallon buckets, valued at more than $75 each, were or will be transported from Illinois, New … Read More

The United Church of Christ’s Florida Conference is matching UCC National Disaster Ministries’ matching grant of $250 for Florida congregations to assemble CWS Emergency Cleanup Buckets and/or School and Hygiene Kits. Florida’s conference minister proposed – and the conference board of directors approved – the additional $250 match after hearing of the enthusiasm of Union Congregational UCC in Holly Hill, Fla., … Read More

In September 2007, a group of individuals working in low income areas of New York City came together to address the issues of Hunger, Poverty, Injustice, Natural Disasters and Education.  They formed a PROJECT called “HOPE,” to provide resources to their neighbors in need. Almost 10 years later, Project Hope is still dedicated to working with children, youth and families … Read More

For 35 years, the nonprofit organization La Puente has provided vital resources and services to people in crisis in Colorado’s San Luis Valley. Since opening their doors in 1982, the organization has learned that the needs of the people they serve are complex, and their programs and services have evolved from assisting stranded travelers and the temporarily displaced to include … Read More