Newton, Texas
Disaster Description
Newton is in eastern Texas near the Louisiana border 100 miles from the Gulf of Mexico and 75 miles north east of Houston. Hurricane Rita hit this area in 2005 with high winds downing many trees and ripping off roofs. Many people evacuated this area when the storm came through however the majority have returned.
Three years later you won’t find too much visible damage but a few families are still removed from their homes. This area has the lowest per capita income in all of the Texas counties. The major industry in this area is lumbering due to the abundance of pine forests.
MDS Response
MDS has helped with clean-up, numerous repairs and three new builds after the storm and returned to build five houses last winter.
Since learning about additional needs MDS is returning to rebuild and repair more homes. This Newton based project is located at the East Texas Baptist Encampment, one mile south of Newton. This church camp has opened up many of its facilities for MDS to use during the project this fall and winter. In addition to the regular project and the RV program, several clients have been selected to be recipients of homes through the Partnership Home Program built by churches all across the US.
In Newton, MDS is working in cooperation with Second Hope Homes of East Texas and the Deep East Texas Council of Government. To see additional photos of the homes built through this partnership, click on the link below.
Second Hope Homes of East Texas
First United Methodist Church of Newton - L project
First United Methodist Church of Newton - C project
First United Methodist Church of Newton - S project
Photo Gallery
Project Reports
Weekly Report for Newton
October 31, 2008
Amidst the poverty here in Newton Texas a mighty witness is evident in the formation of new homes. The Newton team was blessed with six faithful, strong men from Indiana, enabling roof trusses to be hoisted up and erected atop...
Category: Newton, TX
Map/Directions
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Project statistics
Newton, TX
Mennonite Disaster Service
338 Private Road 7005
Newton, TX 75966
newton(at)mds.mennonite.net
tel:(409) 382-3887
Mailing Address:
PO Box 272
Newton, TX 75966
Project Directors: Bert and Doris Hamm
Project Start Date: October 13, 2008
Project End Date: Project is Closed
Volunteers to Date: 877
Jobs Started: 209
Jobs Completed: 206
Project End Date: Feb 28, 2009
Volunteer Information:
Please download and read the files listed below if you are planning and preparing for travel to work in Newton.
fileadmin/Resources/the_MDS_Hitchhikers_Guide_to_Volunteering_Web.pdf
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