World Renew - Disaster Response Services

06/04/2026

In April, heavy rainfall caused Michigan's Muskegon River to significantly flood across multiple counties, forcing evacuations, damaging homes, and impacting lives.

After the floodwaters receded, World Renew DRS volunteers have been assisting homeowners with muck and gut, debris removal, and mold remediation. One survivor — who already struggles with compromised breathing — counted themselves blessed by volunteers showing up to clean their crawlspace.

Thanks to the generous support of our Spring Storms fund, together, we can help families recover. 💚

06/01/2026

Summer is here!

This summer, many faithful churches will volunteer with DRS' One-Week Groups Program and our disaster recovery partners. We pray their repair work leaves lasting impact in places like North Carolina, California, Vermont, and other disaster-affected states.

Volunteers, thank you for spending your summers responding to a greater calling as you renew hope and reconcile lives alongside World Renew.

05/29/2026

Volunteers, did you hear? It's time to claim your spot on a fall DRS repair team in South Sarasota County, Florida!

Join us and The United Way of South Sarasota County to restore homes damaged by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. With on-site leadership, tools, and materials, we're ready for you!

To say "yes" to being the hands and feet of Jesus through this opportunity, contact Mackenzie at [email protected] or 616-315-2467 to sign up or with questions.

Team 3 currently has 1 bedroom spot and 3 RV spots available.

World Renew DRS repairs homes & rebuilds hope in disaster-affected communities across North America.

05/27/2026

Faithful service. Lasting hope.

Long after the storm has passed, many families are still waiting for a safe place to call home. That is where World Renew - Disaster Response Services (DRS) volunteers step in, not just with tools and building materials, but with patience, prayer, and steady care.

Across 3 long-term recovery sites, 315 volunteers helped repair 33 homes. Each home represents more than completed work. It represents a family welcomed back into safety, dignity, and hope.

We give thanks for every volunteer, church, and partner who showed up with willing hands and compassionate hearts. Together, you helped repair homes and rebuild lives.

05/21/2026

Hope is growing in Mitchell County, North Carolina.

Recently, volunteers from North Blendon Christian Reformed Church served with World Renew - Disaster Response Services to help a homeowner still recovering from Hurricane Helene.

Together with the Mitchell County Long Term Resilience Group, the team repaired insulation, installed drywall, built a ramp, and helped move recovery forward. Just as important, they shared time, care, and conversation along the way.

This is the beauty of long-term recovery. Local partners lead. Churches come alongside. Homes are repaired, and hope begins to take root again. As Mitchell County continues to rebuild, locally-led recovery is restoring lives!

We are thankful for North Blendon CRC and the Mitchell County Long Term Resilience Group for being part of this work.

05/18/2026

Gifting this wicker wreath to a disaster survivor during a Last Nail Celebration signifies more than adding a decoration to their home. It serves as a symbolic reminder of transformation.

DRS volunteers repair disaster-impacted homes in the name of Christ as an expression of God's love. When repairs conclude, volunteers host a Last Nail Celebration with the homeowner and their community, dedicating the home to the Lord and asking for His blessing.

With each glance at their "Last Nail" wreath, a survivor is reminded of impactful volunteerism, new beginnings, and hope for years to come long after volunteers leave.

Thank you for supporting this transformative work. We couldn't do this without you.

05/14/2026

Volunteers from Kelsey Creek Church (KCC) know how disasters like the Eaton fires devastate lives.

That's why one group member knew she had to act when she saw the news about fires near her high school hometown. She prayed to God, asking for an opportunity to go and serve survivors.

Later, she saw a bulletin announcement at church about the opportunity to repair fire-damaged homes with DRS and Hope Crisis Response Network. It was abundantly clear: this was God's answer to her prayer.

Throughout their week of service, these KCC volunteers repaired the smoke‑damaged roof of a home that was spared during the fires by an Arizona firefighter. The homeowner, Betty, will feel the team's impact for years to come. 💚

05/11/2026

National VOAD 2026: Visionaries was an inspiring and motivating conference for DRS to gather with our disaster response partner organizations.

We are grateful to be part of the built on love, as reminded by Reverend David Guadalupe EJ, Interim President & CEO. In a troubling, disaster-prone world, “the NVOAD movement rises as a radical response, not with words, but with true action.”

Until next time, the cooperation, communication, coordination, and collaboration continues!

National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (National VOAD)

05/08/2026

Throughout this reconstruction season, DRS volunteer teams made steady progress repairing this home with The United Way of South Sarasota County after Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024.

While they made a significant impact on the home — once the important jobs like replacing floors, drywall, and cabinetry were complete — the volunteers' skills were needed by neighbors also waiting for help.

But the house still needed some final tweaks, like a fresh coat of paint and a through cleaning. Thankfully, students volunteers from Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) were up to the challenge. Their efforts helped this homeowner reach the finality of having his home — and hope — restored.

We're thankful that serving alongside partners like PDA means greater effectiveness in disaster recovery. Praise God that we can serve better together!

05/06/2026

DRS is thrilled to share that Greg Strader, DRS Regional Manager, was named Volunteer of the Year by National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (National VOAD)!

Greg's selfless service to the disaster response industry spans 50+ years, working with the American Red Cross, BRACE, and more. Now, his volunteer work supporting DRS, long term recovery groups, and National VOAD is truly leaving a lasting impact on disaster survivors' lives.

Please listen to Greg's reflections on receiving this honor, and join us in wishing him congratulations!