CLDR now has 8 members deployed to Harvey and more are lining up ready to join Children’s Disaster Services teams stationed in shelters and resource centers. The dedication and generosity of the child life community is inspiring. Thanks to all who are willing to give their time to assist children in this great time of […]
Deployment Check in 8/31/17 – Hurricane Harvey Read More »
Currently the CLDR team is watching in horror with the rest of the world as Hurricane Harvey continues to decimate Houston and surrounding areas. We currently have 5 Certified Child Life Specialists with a team of 24 certified CDS volunteers deploying to assist. The challenges volunteers will face with the children impacted will no doubt
Hurricane Harvey – Deployment Update – Help Needed Read More »
We are excited to announce that we have a Wisconsin CCLS, Susan “Boon” Murray, deploying with Children’s Disaster Services in Oroville, CA! Please keep those displaced and affected by the flooding, as well as all the emergency responders and disaster volunteers in your thoughts and prayers as they continue to navigate this disaster.
Wisconsin CCLS serving in Oroville, CA! Read More »
IMMEDIATE NEED: Children’s Disaster Services (CDS) has been asked by the American Red Cross to have two teams of volunteers ready to go to Oroville, CA, if needed to help assist as evacuations are underway. Residents are being evacuated after the spillway on a major dam began to break over the weekend. The Red Cross
Deployment Alert: Oroville Dam in CA Read More »
2016 was a big year for CLDR! …but to be honest, we have been saying that same thing for the past several years. This all started as a lofty dream; an idea that we knew would meet a substantial need and have a huge impact. We were committed to the cause, but I’m not
2016 Year in Review Read More »
I know I have mentioned a lot about the kiddos and their families I’ve encountered. However, I also want to be sure to share these things as well: The Shelter: the cots and the small area surrounding them became their home I remember when I was playing with one kiddo he asked me if I
“Want to see my home?” Read More »
Walking into the shelter we were greeted with endless smiles. Sam (not his real name), one of the kiddos from yesterday, let out a big gasp and smile when he saw me. He was so excited when we opened to come back and play. When his dad, Bob (note his real name), dropped him of
Their Lives Disrupted- Kelsey Loftus Read More »
Our day was filled with lots of adventures from lost GPS signals to unknown place to be and unknown location for staying the night. Once it was all figured out where we would be going, we hit the road. We were told we were going to the fairgrounds. The fairgrounds consisted of a shelter with
Making Play Out of Anything after Hurricane Matthew – Kelsey Loftus Read More »
Sitting here on the plane, a million thoughts run through my head. Starting with how this all came to be, to what this journey will be like. To think this all started from me responding to an email stating I’m available is crazy. I remember Children’s Disaster Services writing back stating it may be difficult
Deploying = Out of My Comfort Zone = Best Place to Be! Read More »
The adventure continues… Tuesday evening I arrived in Fayetteville, NC. During my last flight, I was on a very small plane, throughout the flight I had a long conversation with an elderly lady sitting next to me. She shared that she was coming back home for the first time since Hurricane Matthew. As we were
Deep Bonds and Relationships Read More »