World Renew is pleased and grateful to announce that it has received a grant of $1.2 million from the Canadian Red Cross in support of its work in High River, Alberta and the surrounding area.

World Renew is pleased and grateful to announce that it has received a grant of $1.2 million from the Canadian Red Cross in support of its work in High River, Alberta and the surrounding area.

High River was devastated by flooding nearly one year ago, forcing thousands from their homes. An unmet needs assessment conducted by World Renew Disaster Response Services (DRS) volunteers in September showed that after receiving settlements from insurance companies and assistance from the provincial government, many people continued to have needs in their homes.

Starting in January 2014, World Renew has begun sending teams of DRS volunteers to High River to assist with home repairs, reconstruction and even completely rebuilding flood-damaged homes. While World Renew provides volunteer labor for this reconstruction, funds are needed to pay for materials, tools and supplies.

“I feel like my heart is going to explode with gratefulness some days having World Renew help me.”

This support from the Canadian Red Cross will fund World Renew’s work on at least 50 homes. That means that at least 50 additional families will get a chance to leave the nightmare of their flood experience behind them and begin their new life.

Leslie Lambert is one of the people who has already been helped by World Renew’s ministry. Her home was completely destroyed by the June 2013 flooding and was deemed uninhabitable. After spending months living in a donated house, Lambert was eager to return to her flood-damaged home. Unfortunately, the support she received from the provincial government wasn’t enough to restore her home.

She reached out for help and was connected with World Renew Case Manager, Sarah Bruinsma. Three weeks later, World Renew DRS volunteers began working on Lambert’s home. They hope to have her back living in her home by the summer.

“Every time I look at my house, I’ll remember that [World Renew volunteers] were welcoming of me into their circle and their willingness to do whatever was needed to be done to restore my house to a liveable state,” said Lambert. “I feel like my heart is going to explode with gratefulness some days having World Renew help me.”

“We have been truly blessed to be able to work in High River and help residents who have been displaced because of the flooding or who are having trouble getting their basic needs met,” added Bill Adams, Director of World Renew DRS. “This additional support from the Canadian Red Cross will help us reach even more people over the next several years. We are grateful to God for this answer to prayer and to the Canadian Red Cross for their generous support.”