Children's Disaster Services

05/22/2026

If you are going to the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference, don't forget to PRE-REGISTER for the free BDM/CDS Volunteer & Supporter Breakfast on Monday, June 29 at 7:00 am. It will be a great time to catch up with those you may have served with, meet new people in the BDM/CDS family, and hear updates on our ministry.

PRE-REGISTER BY JUNE 1 TO SAVE YOUR PLACE!

There is no guarantee that spaces will be open during the conference due to our need to order meals ahead of time.

Contact [email protected] or 800-451-4407 to sign-up.

04/29/2026

Children's Disaster Services, along with Child Life Disaster Relief, is pleased to present a workshop, The Power of Play, at the 2026 NVOAD Conference. The workshop will focus on the tools used in response, as well as the purpose of these child-led activities, to help children center themselves after experiencing disasters.

Child Life Disaster Relief directly supports children and families in disasters by integrating child life professionals’ services into impacted communities for positive coping and resilience.
Child life specialists are trained professionals with expertise in supporting children and their families during traumatic experiences. With a strong background in child development, trauma-informed care, and family systems, child life specialists promote effective coping through play, preparation, education, and self-expression activities.

Children's Disaster Services provides a safe, calm space for children following natural or human-caused disasters, with certified, trauma-informed volunteer staff in shelters and assistance centers, utilizing a Kit of Comfort—a specialized suitcase of activities designed to encourage healing through child-led play.

If you are someone who will be at the NVOAD conference, Children's Disaster Services will have information at the Save the Children exhibitor table, whose commitment to children in emergencies helps expand the reach and impact of child-centered response efforts

We are grateful for all the child-oriented organizations who seek to help children.

04/08/2026

https://heyzine.com/flip-book/06bbb652ab.html
Hey CDS Fans, CHECK IT OUT!!
Here is a link to the children's magazine put out by On Earth Peace (OEP). This edition is about grief, and there is an article by our own John Kinsel. Some of you may have been trained by him, been on a response with him, or even been counseled by him on Critical responses. CDS volunteers, making the world a better place.
OEP, Envisioning a world in Beloved Community with the power of nonviolence in action

Created with the Heyzine flipbook maker

03/30/2026

On March 20-21, CDS responded in Union City and Three Rivers, Mich., at MARCs (Multi-agency Resource Centers) supporting those communities following a tornado that passed through the cities. In Union City, an EF3 tornado damaged or destroyed approximately 70 homes in the area, 3 people were killed, and 12 more were injured. Wendy Russell, a CDS volunteer and area coordinator as well as the Michigan District disaster coordinator for Brethren Disaster Ministries, made the connection with the State Voluntary Agency Liaison. The Michigan VOAD initiated a coordination call where the connection was made. Due to Russell’s participation on the call, CDS provided a team of local volunteers from Indiana and Michigan to offer a calm presence and care for children ages 3 months to 11 years while their parents received help and information on how to move forward after the destruction of their homes.

CDS is grateful for the team of Gail Girbach. Bev Eikenberry, Deb Kauffman, Deana Ward, and Tammy Tucker, who drove from their homes in Michigan and Indiana to serve as a CDS local team.

CDS is a ministry within Brethren Disaster Ministries. Support this response financially by donating at www.brethren.org/givecds.

Find out more about CDS and its work to serve children and families affected by disaster at www.brethren.org/cds

03/23/2026

Children’s Disaster Services (CDS), a program of Brethren Disaster Ministries, responded in Aroma Park, Illinois, a suburb of Kankakee, Illinois, at a Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) supporting the community following a Tornado that passed through Aroma Park on March 10.
Through communication during coordination calls with the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD) and State or county COADs, CDS connected with emergency management to offer care for children of those impacted and who were coming to the MARC. The Assistance Center was open Monday, March 16- 17, from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM. CDS volunteers cared for children ages 1/12 to 15 years of age while their parents received help and information on how to move forward after the destruction of their homes.
We are grateful to our Local teams for serving in these spaces. Thank you, CDS Volunteers.

03/19/2026

Children's Disaster Services is pleased to have provided training at Beaufort First Presbyterian in Beaufort, South Carolina, on February 20-21. Many thanks to Chris Appl-Walsh, the host and trainer who worked for many months to ensure the event was ready, and to the other trainer, Kim Black, for their great leadership. We look forward to our new volunteers who will be ready to care for Children after Disasters.

03/06/2026

Children's Disaster Services is pleased to have provided a training at the Oakland Church of the Brethren in Bradford, Ohio February 20-21. Many thanks to Toni Custer, the host, who worked for many months to ensure the event was ready, and to the trainers Donna Belknap and Katie Nees for their great leadership. We look forward to our new volunteers who will be ready to care for Children after Disasters.

02/16/2026

We regret to say that the La Verne CDS Training has been cancelled. We hope to have a training there next spring.

WE ARE ALREADY SCHEDULING TRAININGS FOR FALL 2026 - VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR UPDATES!

01/30/2026

CDS was pleased to be invited to serve at the American Airlines first-anniversary memorial. The team provided children and parents with a place to find respite from the emotionally taxing day. On January 29, 2025, an American Airlines flight collided with a military helicopter over the Potomac. 67 people lost their lives that night. Thank you, Volunteers!!!!
Photo courtesy of Freida Driver.

01/22/2026

Brethren Disaster Ministries is looking for new staff team members!
DIRECTOR, BDM
PROGRAM ASSISTANT, CDS

See the announcement below.
Go to www.brethren.org/about/employment for more information and to apply!

BDM IS HIRING!
-- DIRECTOR, BRETHREN DISASTER MINISTRIES
Do you know a person with strong leadership and management skills? Why not tap them on the shoulder and ask them to consider applying to become the BDM director?
This position provides oversight and administrative management and motivates and inspires staff and volunteers in their service for and with disaster survivors. The position also oversees the home rebuilding program.

-- PROGRAM ASSISTANT, CHILDREN'S DISASTER SERVICES
This position supports the programming and administration of CDS and requires strong interpersonal, administrative, and communication skills.

For more information and to apply, please visit www.brethren.org/about/employment
For questions, contact [email protected].