MDS Programs
Current Progams Include:
Disaster Studies Program at Hesston College and CMU
MDS has two disaster study programs in partnership with Canadian Mennonite University (CMU) in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada and Hesston College in Hesston, Kansas.
With the increase in disasters, and the resulting victimization and economic losses, MDS and other faith-based agencies are recognizing the need for trained leadership in managing disaster response and recovery. This has led to the creation of disaster recoveries programs at two colleges in the US and Canada.
MDS started the RV program for disaster response in the fall of 2006. The RV Program is set up to provide assistance in areas where a full MDS project is not warranted. It was also conceived in order to utilize a mature, retired work force living in a self contained living situation.
Youth groups have been a part of MDS for many years. The summer youth program is an opportunity for youth to see their actions impact the lives of others through the Anabaptist tradition of volunteering.
The PHP was developed by the constituency of Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) with the purpose of bringing as many families home as possible, in the shortest amount of time. The primary goal of PHP, in conjunction with the mission of MDS, is to build high quality, adequate sized houses for families that lack traditional means of resources, such as insurance. This program allows volunteers to build panel houses at various locations, such as universities, churches, parking lots, gyms, and so on. The panels are built and then placed on a truck to be shipped to various parts of the country, at which time they are assembled.
MDS encourages pastors and their spouses to make time for serving as part of the MDS short-term work crews. In an effort to encourage the participation of church leadership at MDS response locations, full financial support for travel expenses to and from MDS project sites is available for pastors and their spouses through a special grant. If a church budget cannot support their pastor’s travel costs to/from an MDS service work week, we would encourage pastors to apply for this grant.
Volunteer
MDS volunteers are known for repairing and rebuilding homes damaged by disasters. But it takes more than construction skills to serve with MDS. During the time that you serve as a volunteer, you will learn that MDS also restores lives.
Donate
Your contribution will help to connect volunteers with disaster survivors who need assistance on their path to recovery. MDS depends on the support of people who believe that disaster response is an important part of helping those who are in need.
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