• Donate
• Urgent Needs
• Events
• Multimedia
• Site Map

• Home
• About Us
  • History
  • FAQ's
  • Staff
  • Employment Opportunities
  • Links
• Regions / Unit
  • Region I
  • Region II
  • Region III
  • Region IV
  • Region V (Canada)
• Projects
  • Cameron, LA
  • Diamond, LA
  • Greensburg, KS
  • Johnson Bayou, LA
  • Livingston, TX
  • Mobile, AL
  • New Orleans, LA
  • Newton, TX
  • Newton RV
  • Pass Christian, MS
• Programs
  • Disaster Studies Programs
  • RV Program
• Get Involved
  • Short-Term Volunteers
  • Long-Term Volunteers
  • RV Program
  • Youth Volunteers
  • Volunteer Training
  • Safety Information
• News
  • Articles
  • Multimedia Galleries
  • Newsletter
• Resources
  • Login
• Contact Us
  • Congregation Contact Form
  • E-Mail / Newsletter Signup

MDS Disaster Study Programs

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.

Disaster Recover Studies at Canadian Mennonite University

The emphasis of CMU’s program is on the medium- to long-term phases of personal and community rebuilding following disasters. A key part of the program is a series of two terms of fieldwork with MDS, fulfilling CMU’s practicum requirement. Through these two work terms of 8-10 weeks, students will receive hands-on and leadership experience in the rebuilding of disaster-affected, often vulnerable communities.

The goal of the program in Disaster Recovery Studies is to help students understand the nature of disasters, their aftermath and the best ways to help people and communities recover physically, psychologically, socially and spiritually. Through this program, students will develop analytic competencies and leadership qualities for working in disaster recovery and relief organizations, or other social service and volunteer organizations.

For more information on the program, click here.

Disaster Management Program at Hesston College

The Disaster Management program began at Hesston College in the fall of 2005 as a cooperative venture between Hesston and MDS. MDS began in Hesston more than 50 years ago when two Sunday School classes met to discuss how they could best serve others.

Students at Hesston learn about disaster management from an Anabaptist perspective. A key componant of the program is a 10-week service requirement on an active MDS disaster site.

Most students who enter the Disaster Management Program at Hesston receive the associate of arts (A.A.) degree, and will transfer to a four-year school.

For more information on the program, click here.

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.

How to Volunteer

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.

More Info

Newsletter

Sign up for free biweekly project updates and other MDS news.