Although reconstruction began just a few weeks ago in High River, Alberta, World Renew Disaster Response Services (DRS) volunteers are already touching lives and restoring homes.

“Many homes in High River were damaged significantly and designated ‘not fit for human habitation’ after major flooding last June,” said Sarah Bruinsma, a World Renew case manager for the work site. “When we initially met the Clay* family, they were working at their jobs during the day and then going home to work on their house in the evening. They were exhausted and at the breaking point.”

The 80-year-old home suffered major damage in the flood. The entire structure was raised up off of its foundation to clear out the basement level. In the process, the main floor walls buckled and had to be removed and rebuilt. Work that began as a basement repair turned into an entire house renovation.

In every community where World Renew DRS works to repair and restore homes, there are always opportunities for partnership

The Clays and two of their grandchildren decided to work on the house together so that their insurance settlement could be spent on the repairs they couldn’t complete themselves. However, their insurance company denied their claim as the type of flooding they experienced was not an insurable loss. Bruinsma is now helping them through the process of applying for financial assistance from the provincial government.

Support from local churches, businesses, and civic clubs has also been substantial in High River. Calgary-area churches are sending volunteers to work from day to day and providing in-kind gifts such as food, clothing, and furniture. One Calgary remodeling business donated kitchen cabinets that they wanted to give to a family that really needed them—and that family is the Clays. One of the tasks that World Renew DRS and local volunteers are completing at the Clay’s home is installing these new cabinets in their kitchen. 

When the Clays heard about the donated cabinets, Jane Damsma, a World Renew DRS on-site manager in High River, was there to help deliver the news. “The Clays really needed and deserved this gift,” Damsma said. “Mrs. Clay asked, ‘How do you thank someone for this?’ There isn’t a day that goes by that they don’t express gratitude for the support they’ve received from World Renew and their community.”

World Renew DRS has been walking along side this family through this journey for several months, helping them identify their needs, work through the disaster recovery process, and finally rebuilding their house. World Renew DRS staff and volunteers hope to celebrate a “Last Nail Ceremony” with the Clays when their home is completed in March.

World Renew DRS created the Last Nail Ceremony as a way to commemorate with the family, volunteers, neighbors, and staff the completion of each home the repair. During the ceremony, the Clay’s home will be dedicated to God and the house keys will be officially presented to them. The Clays, after losing their home and living in temporary housing for eight months, will breathe a sigh of relief when they can say, “We are home.”

 

*Name has been changed.