Volunteer Linda shows her “Kit of Comfort” for the camera.
By Kate Walters, American Red Cross
In the unpredictable world of disaster response, Children's Disaster Services (CDS) stands as a solid pillar of support, responding to disasters such as Hurricane Milton and providing children with "Crisis-Informed Care." This concept underscores the importance of meeting both emotional and practical needs during crises, to children, who are among the most vulnerable.
CDS volunteers undergo an intensive 27-hour overnight training experience designed to mimic the realities of a shelter environment. Trainees learn to set up child-friendly spaces, equipped with creative activities that help children process and cope with their experiences. These simulations prepare volunteers to adapt to uncertain conditions, including sleeping arrangements that simulate the unpredictability of real deployments.
The play activities organized by CDS are both therapeutic and imaginative. For instance, children might use tape to create roads and drive toy Emergency Response Vehicles (ERVs), allowing them to role-play emergency scenes. In one memorable training, a volunteer's husband, Tom, lay on the ground as a makeshift mountain while children navigated their toy ERVs over and around him. This kind of play helps children express their emotions and regain a sense of control.
Linda exercises with one of the children at CDS.
Children are also encouraged to rebuild their "damaged homes" out of boxes and recreate the items they lost—like TVs and refrigerators—offering them a way to process their loss through hands-on, symbolic play.
The volunteers' dedication extends beyond play; they provide essential relief for parents, too. By engaging with children, CDS creates a safe space where parents can step away to shower or rest, knowing their children are being cared for by compassionate and trained adults. “We’re stress relievers for parents, and we help kids feel like someone is listening to them,” one volunteer said. This allows families to find small moments of respite amid the chaos.
Linda, a seasoned volunteer, embodies the spirit of CDS with her “Kit of Comfort”—a suitcase filled with painting supplies, playdough, fold-up giant hula hoops, bubbles, and storybooks. The team uses these tools to create moments of joy and normalcy, even fashioning easels out of cardboard boxes to give children a chance to paint. “The kids give us hugs. This is a place where they can feel sane and act like kids,” Linda shared.
Although CDS volunteers travel with their own gear and strive to be as self-sufficient as possible, their work is bolstered by the support of the Red Cross who provide lodging and a small stipend.
“Just knowing that we’re making a difference for one child is all that matters,” a volunteer reflected. And while their contributions might start with a suitcase of toys and a listening ear, the impact of CDS echoes far beyond the shelter walls, touching the lives of families and restoring hope in times of profound need.
Support all the urgent humanitarian needs of the American Red Cross.
Find a drive and schedule a blood donation appointment today.
Your time and talent can make a real difference in people’s lives. Discover the role that's right for you and join us today!