TEXAS CITY — The 4B Disaster Response Network has been helping communities recover from disasters since Hurricane Harvey struck the Gulf Coast in 2017. Now, the organization has partnered with Mennonite Disaster Service to help build new homes for families in need.
4B has traditionally focused on repairing damaged homes and providing shelter. Through the partnership, the organization can now help build new homes with labor provided by Mennonite and Amish communities.
“It’s always been a part of our history to repair homes, but we ran into more and more families who really needed a new home. Their home was so badly damaged, or had been totally demolished and they needed a new place to live, and we did not have the expertise to build a home, and we didn’t have the funding to build a home,” said 4B Executive Director John Eckeberger.
“We partnered this past year with the Mennonite Disaster Service, and they help coordinate Mennonite communities and Amish communities to travel all over the country building homes, so they are handling all the labor,” Eckeberger said.
The volunteer group traveled from northern Missouri and began work shortly after arriving in Texas City.
“This group left from northern Missouri, Sunday afternoon, drove straight through, arrived here at 7 o’clock in the morning Monday morning. We had a brief meeting with them, a strategy meeting, and by 8 o’clock they were headed to the home sites,” Eckeberger said.
The organizations plan to work on nine projects throughout the year and currently are working on three homes. Mennonite Disaster Service has developed the layouts for the homes.
Texas City Mayor Abel Garza said having the organization in the area is especially valuable because of the city’s coastal location and exposure to hurricanes.
“Texas City is fortunate to have them here. They chose Texas City to have their command center; that’s in our backyard. They are readily available for whatever we may need, and to have them here is just beyond what words can explain,” Garza said.
“We need them here. There’s a lot going on in Texas City, being a coastal city, hurricane, a lot going on, and we can always use their services,” he said.
4B is encouraging community members to volunteer, regardless of their experience or skill level.
“We’d love to have folks come out and work a little bit. They don’t have to be an expert at anything — if all they can do is sweep, we’ll let them come sweep. There’s always something to be done,” Eckeberger said.
Those interested in learning more about the organization or volunteering can visit 4bresponse.org.
