Photo: Matt Hackworth/CWS

Even before Hurricanes Ike and Gustav hit, CWS prepositioned emergency supplies and was able to reach out to its network of long-term recovery groups with material resources.  CWS provides Emergency Clean-up Buckets, CWS Blankets, CWS Kits, and other supplies to help enable communities to begin the overwhelming job of cleaning up after a flood, hurricane, tornado or other disaster. 

CWS supports domestic long-term recovery efforts with training and project development and with support from Habitat for Humanity International repaired or rebuilt more than 640 homes along the U.S. Gulf Coast that were damaged or destroyed by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. CWS Emergency Response Specialists help local response groups reach out to the elderly, poor, and marginalized members of their community and give them the help they need to get back on their feet and begin the long road to recovery.

Photo: Matt Hackworth/CWS

Long-term Katrina recovery “It’s a beautiful thing to know that these people will give from their busy schedules to help someone like me,” says homeowner Gloria Mouton. She and a dozen neighbors returned to newly rebuilt New Orleans homes after a volunteer rebuilding effort led by CWS. Since 2005, CWS has helped repair or rebuild some 700 Katrina ravaged homes.