Long-term recovery for Cedar Rapids

From Associate Regional Minister Don Hiscox:

The Press Release copied below is provided by Doug Miller, pastor at Noelridge Christian Church and Brian Crousore of Church World Service.

As you know, the Disciples of Christ are one of the participating denominations which are a part of Church World Service, and will be involved in responding to these cases of need through a Mission Station (similar to the ones in Greensburg, KS and the Gulf Coast area) that will be established in Cedar Rapids in the VERY near future.

At the present time, we are assessing the needs of Disciples of Christ families (and related families) in the Region via a questionnaire to the pastor of those congregations involved.

Present thinking is that the Mission Station in Cedar Rapids will be open for receiving volunteers beginning August 3. If you have quesitons, please don't hesitate to be in touch with Don Hiscox at 515.577.9020 or by email at dh@uppermidwestcc.org

Church World Service, Cedar Rapids churches focus on most vulnerable flood survivors

CONTACT: Bryan Crousore, Emergency Response Specialist/CWS, 515-867-0612Matt Hackworth, Communications Officer/CWS, 212-870-2728

EVENT: Long-term recovery for Cedar RapidsJuly 17 and July 24, 6 p.m.Noelridge Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)7111 C Ave. NE in Cedar Rapids.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA. – As federal figures show more than 4,000 homes have been damaged by flooding in this city alone this summer, churches, synagogues, mosques and other faith-based organizations in the Cedar Valley are anticipating even greater numbers of people who will have an especially hard time recovering.

"In more than six decades of responding to disasters around the world, we've always found it's those with the most limited means who have the hardest time recovering," Church World Service Associate Director Bonnie Vollmering said. "The poorest, the most vulnerable will have incredible needs as Iowa struggles to recover in the long term."

CWS is working with faith-based and secular organizations in Cedar Rapids and other Iowa communities to bring about long-term recovery."Our job is to help the community determine how it will recover, and that includes how to handle unmet needs," CWS Emergency Response Specialist Bryan Crousore said.

Most communities end up addressing the needs of vulnerable populations by forming long-term recovery committees. These groups bring together locals from the faith-based and secular worlds to help address cases of need. The locally based long-term recovery group oversees each case of need, and is most effective at seeking help from, among other resources, national-level disaster assistance groups.

CWS will bring together Cedar Rapids' faith community and several social service agencies in workshops July 17 and July 24 at 6 p.m. at Noelridge Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) at 7111 C Ave. NE in Cedar Rapids.

"It's important for the community to come together and figure out how cases of need will be addressed," Crousore said. "There are plenty of communities affected by this flood where needs will far outweigh what kind of government assistance can fix."

There is no charge for this workshop but registrations are encouraged for planning purposes. Register by calling Noelridge Christian Church at 319-393-9532.

The Cedar Rapids Interreligious Council, Churches United, Rev. Msgr. Russell M. Bleich, Episcopal Vicar of the Archdiocese of Dubuque, and Noelridge Christian Church are inviting all clergy and lay leaders in the Cedar Valley to attend one of these sessions.

Founded in 1946, Church World Service is a cooperative ministry of 35 Protestant, Orthodox, and Anglican denominations in the US. Church World Service assists communities in responding to disasters, resettles refugees, promotes fair national and international policies, provides educational resources, nurtures ecumenical relationships and offers opportunities for people to join a network of local and global caring.