Two Programs Focus on Youth

in Disaster Prep & Response

God's Can-Do Kids! and Gearing Up-Renew U!
 

See also:  Web Weather for Kids

See also:  NOAA Education Pages

The true cost of a major disaster is in the questioning look of a child. Lutheran Services Florida invites you to become involved in an innovative new program that gives our children a new confidence in the face of the hurricane season and other challenging events in their lives.

Lutheran Disaster Response offers an exciting pair of curriculums for youth who have experienced disaster. “God’s Can-Do Kids!” and “Gearing Up- Renew U!” teach and minister to the youngest members of our communities. The programs are faith based but can be done in any group setting. “God’s Can Do Kids!” and “Gearing Up- Renew U!” are not just for disaster recovery but are also great for teaching disaster preparedness. Often, when folks talk about preparedness, plans turn to batteries and flashlights. These classes give churches and communities the unique opportunity to teach their children about all-around preparation, including their emotional and spiritual care. The programs can be done on a weekend or worked into a weekday schedule. The curriculum is fairly easy to get together, flexible and is getting rave reviews where it has been done.

"God's Can Do Kids!" is designed for children ages 5-13 and helps youth to deal with their fears and stress through crafts, games, and other activities. "Gearing up – Renew U!" is designed for youth ages 14-18 and empowers youth to deal with their fears and stress through hands-on projects that teach practical skills.

Both programs are centered on people in the Bible who overcame personal disasters with the help of God. Both curriculums come in a single, reversible binder and can be easily used by groups in disaster-affected areas as well as by other groups. In Florida, it is particularly important that we help our children each year to prepare for hurricane season. One of the sayings in the program puts it well, “We’re not scared, we’re prepared!”

This is exactly what the children at “Resurrection House” learned during the program held there on August 7th and 8th. “Resurrection House,” is a migrant farm worker ministry in Dade City, Florida. Resurrection House does great work repairing people’s lives, long after the TV news broadcasts are over. The children at “Rez House” don’t have a lot of the things that other kids take for granted. Their community is still healing from the hurricanes that hit in 2004 and 2005 as well as from storms that caused flooding earlier this year. One thing that the children at “Resurrection House already know is how to care for each other. This program helped them to live this out in being prepared for the next hurricane season. It helped them understand, what we all need to understand, that God provides for them and through them when disaster might make their lives most difficult. The “Rez House” kids are “God’s Can Do Kid’s!”

“God’s Can Do Kids!” and “Gearing Up- Renew U!” have also been implemented in Storm-damaged areas of Mississippi and Louisiana, where there have been powerful stories of renewal and restoration. This curriculum makes a positive difference in the lives of children. If your congregation or any group in your area might want to participate in this program, we are here to help you equip your community. To schedule this important program for your kids or ask questions about the curriculum, please contact Danielle Kearney at 1-800-651-1853 x 513 or 1-813-676-9513. Or by email is: dkearney@lsfnet.org.


Lutheran Services Florida-Disaster Relief
Danielle Kearney, Coordinator
3627A West Waters Avenue
Tampa, FL 33614
Main: 813-875-1408 x513
Fax: 813-875-1302
 

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