Menno Place Staff and the Flood/Mudslides

Email Jeanette.Lee@MennoPlace.ca to share your story or the story of someone you work alongside. We want to hear from you.

Between November 13th and 15th, we experienced torrential rain in the Abbotsford region that damaged infrastructure and isolated communities. This was the product of an atmospheric river that added more moisture than the already saturated soil could handle.

November 14th broke numerous rainfall records and was the beginning of what will be known as the Great Flood in the Sumas Prairie with water rushing north as the Nooksack River broke its banks. For some of you, the flooding kept you from coming to work and upset your regular routines bringing a financial hardship. Schools were closed and some of you had to scramble for childcare. For others, the waters consumed your homes, your farms, your treasured possessions and memories. Your lives are forever changed.

As leaders, we have been listening to your experiences and seeking ways to make work and life better for you as you’ve been impacted. We’d like to hear from more of you. Many staff from Chilliwack have been provided housing to work for five days in a row without having to navigate Highway 7 for 2-5 hours each way (depending on the state of traffic). Others have the ear and heart of the leadership as we listen to how you’ve taken in other families or been taken in by those who care for you. The unknown is still ahead for many as you rebuild your homes and your lives. There are staff who are raising funds and supplies for their co-workers. We would like to help with that as you navigate these next weeks and months.

Would you make sure that we know what you or your family are going through so that we can extend our care, prayers and practical help?

With more than 700 staff here at Menno Place, we know that people lives are impacted – and we want to show we care.

Please let us know what has happened and is happening with you and the ones you love.

Please let us know about a co-worker’s situation so that we can show we care.

Email: Jeanette.Lee@Mennoplace.ca , Director, Human Resources to let us know your experience or the experience of a co-worker.

Thank you, as always, for wanting to be here at work – and for coming to work even when your home and lives are in limbo.

Thank you to all who have worked extra hours to care for our residents as those who wish to be here are stranded on the other side of the flood.

You are truly the Heart of Menno Place.