Tuesday, April 28, 2020

"Three Questions" with Red Cross Volunteer Darya Matskin

"Three Questions” is an American Red Cross in Greater New York blog series featuring staff, volunteers, and partners who help carry out our humanitarian mission. Through these short interviews, we hope to shine a light on our different programs and get to know those who make this work possible.


When Darya Matskin is not working her day job as a psychologist, she’s serving in multiple capacities for the American Red Cross, primarily as a supervisor for disaster response, mass care and sheltering. The Brooklyn resident is wrapping up her first year with the Red Cross by working both in-person and remotely for the Red Cross.

How do you approach your volunteer work as a disaster responder, helping a family who has lost everything to a fire?

When I go out there, I really go through this crisis with them. I want them to step out of it as fast as they can, to let them just know that we’re there for them. It’s a huge relief, knowing that they’re not by themselves. Losing something that’s really close to their hearts, it can be so difficult. Just explaining to them that "You’re out, you’re here and safe with us," and knowing that they’re not alone.

How has Red Cross work changed since the COVID-19 crisis started, specifically your volunteer work?

Right now, we're doing remote casework where we’re still helping individuals with disaster relief, setting them up in hotels, and we still have teams going out to help people if the situation calls for it. We’re constantly on standby – my job right now is to work 12-hour shifts, so I’m working at home from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. I’m on three days, so 36 hours per week no matter what. I’m also continuing to do fieldwork, usually to drop off CAC’s [Client Assistance Cards with financial assistance] if it’s requested by the ECC [Emergency Communications Center]. On top of that, I’m helping distribute food in-person at hospitals for healthcare workers. Just whatever I can do to give back at the moment. You never know what’s going to happen.

What do you find most meaningful about about supporting NYC healthcare workers?

For me, it’s just a thank you to everybody working at the hospitals. I’m there to make sure they get their bag of supplies and a thank you. And what’s incredible is that the workers themselves are coming out and saying thank you. They all have smiles on their faces, and it’s so rewarding beyond words.

In Case You Missed it - April 28

Volunteers are heroes too! (Photo: Vivian Moy) 
Over the last seven days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 27 adults and 9 children following 34  local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities. (See below)

Last Week in Review

Upcoming Events and Opportunities

Tuesday, April 21, 2020

Bronx Family Copes with Home Fire Amid COVID-19

Carol Aponte (L) and her two children Dasia and Eric
Living under the constant threat of a global pandemic means we have all needed to adapt to a new ‘normal’, and the anxiety that goes along with it. In the midst of this ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, Carol Aponte experienced a second unimaginable emergency: a three-alarm fire that forced her from the Bronx home she had not left since the coronavirus crisis started weeks ago.

Aponte was born and raised in The Bronx and had lived in her apartment building near Pelham Parkway for about a year. Aponte recalled that the fire started a few floors above her. The flames eventually reached other parts of the building; her belongings were destroyed by smoke and water.

“It was a dangerous situation,” said Aponte. “I had to go. It was only five minutes. Five minutes. You’ve got to get what you can and get out.”

Aponte had just ordered pizza for the whole family on March 27, when the fire started. Her first instinct was to grab her sons, grandson and pets and escape the advancing smoke and flames. But as she corralled her dog, her cat disappeared somewhere inside the unit amidst the chaos. But Aponte knew she needed to get out. During her panic, she left her wallet behind, but she did remember other critical items: her medical mask and gloves - a sign of the times.

Aponte explained the fear she felt leaving the building: “I started running and running, and I passed by all my neighbors and I just kept going and going.” She was running to keep her family away from the fire scene and to maintain social distancing.

Several blocks from her home, Aponte placed her family in the safety of her brother’s care and made her way back to the scene. Waiting for her in front of her building was a Red Cross team member, at a safe distance, offering her guidance, reassurance and financial assistance. Because she could stay with her brother, she turned down the Red Cross offer of temporary housing.


“[Red Cross] gave me a sense of security in which everybody needs in this very moment, and not everybody has it,” said Aponte of the many staff she spoke to in person and over the phone after the fire.

The blaze in Aponte’s building was the second large fire in NYC that night. Later that evening, the Red Cross would help dozens of residents displaced by a multiple-alarm incident in Brooklyn. Since March 22, when the official coronavirus stay-at-home order across the region began (and through April 19), the organization has provided emergency relief to nearly 700 people following 130+ incidents, mostly home fires, across Greater NY. As this crisis has evolved, the Red Cross has adapted the way it responds to these local disasters with new safety measures including remote casework and registration, social distancing in the field, and the use of face masks.

One of the many volunteers providing remote disaster relief for the Red Cross in Greater New York from home is Charleen Turner: “As Red Crossers we help people who are experiencing a disaster. But we’re all experiencing this disaster,” said Turner, who worked closely with Aponte over the phone after the fire. “So we’re not only helping those experiencing it we are also in the middle of that ourselves, which is a very unique position.”

For Aponte, the days after the fire have been challenging, but there have been signs of hope. A few days after the emergency, with the help of Red Cross caseworker Charleen Turner, and a her building superintendent, who escorted her into her destroyed apartment, she was reunited with her cat, Boots.


“I felt like crying because I didn’t think he would come to me,’” she said. “I took a deep breath and an extreme exhale.”

Aponte has subsequently found a temporary apartment with the help of a friend and is comforted by the presence of her children, grandchild, and both of her pets. She says her family, friends, local church, and the Red Cross have been instrumental as she seeks to rebuild her life.

Among the many friends and strangers who helped her, Aponte expressed particular gratitude to Charleen Turner, her Red Cross caseworker. Recalling their multiple interactions, Aponte reflected: “She has so much empathy, made me feel that I am not alone.”

In Case You Missed It - April 21

Our team is proud to be part of the NYC Healthcare Heroes initiative! The program will provide at
least 300,000 packages to the more than 100,000 New York City healthcare professionals.
Over the last seven days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 56 adults and 15 children following 37  local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities. (See below)

Last Week in Review 

Upcoming Events and Opportunities

Tuesday, April 14, 2020

My Red Cross Life: #StayAtHome Edition

by Chris Pyo, American Red Cross in Greater NY

For the past couple of weeks, we've been sharing short stories on our Instagram (@redcrossny) about how our team members across the region have been adapting to the reality of working during the COVID-19 breakout. Thank you to all the Red Crossers who continue to make a difference, either remotely or in-person.



#MyRedCrossLife #StayAtHome Edition: Over these next few weeks we’ll be sharing short stories of our team members adapting to this new #COVID19 reality. Thank you to all Red Crossers who continue to make a difference from home or wherever they are. Phil Cogan joined the Red Cross as a volunteer in 2014 after he retired from FEMA. Since then, Phil has taken on many different roles with us including Disaster Responder and Public Affairs Representative. A few months prior to COVID-19, he transitioned to our Emergency Communications Center (ECC), taking emergency calls and helping to dispatch emergency relief after local disasters. Tge ECC is now run remotely. “Two or three times a week my apartment is an extension of the Red Cross Emergency Communication Center. The phone rings as it does with the other people who are working our ECC, which operates 24/ 7 … Being able to volunteer with the Red Cross has helped me overcome this feeling of helplessness that there's nothing that you can do. It has demonstrated to me that even by being at home, I can make a contribution to help others through the Red Cross.”
A post shared by American Red Cross Greater NY (@redcrossny) on




#MyRedCrossLife#StayAtHome Edition: Over these next few weeks we’ll be sharing short stories of our team members adapting to this new #COVID19 reality. Thank you to all Red Crossers who continue to make a difference from home or wherever they are. Charleen Turner joined the Red Cross as a volunteer after Hurricane Harvey in 2017. Among her many roles since then, Charleen has done virtual casework following large-scale emergencies outside our region, and served as a disaster responder, taking shifts every week helping residents at the scene of local disasters. As she shelters in place alone in her home in Huntington, N.Y., she supports families left homeless by fires and other disasters virtually, coordinating emergency relief and providing reassurance over the phone. In this role she takes a few 12-hour shifts each week. “The thing that’s interesting is, usually, we swoop in as Red Crossers and we help people who are experiencing a disaster. But now, we’re all experiencing this, so we’re not only helping others in need, but we’re also in the middle of it ourselves, which is a very unique position. We’re coping with our own fears, which we totally have to do … I can’t imagine what they’re going through [after a fire]. For us to be able to put our own concerns aside and do this work, makes [our own situation] not so bad. You are helping people and also helping yourself at the same.”
A post shared by American Red Cross Greater NY (@redcrossny) on




#MyRedCrossLife #StayAtHome Edition: Over these next few weeks we’ll be sharing short stories of our team members adapting to this new #COVID19 reality. Thank you to all Red Crossers who continue to make a difference from home or wherever they are! Lori Galen, an eight-year volunteer with the Greater New York Region, serves in multiple capacities. As a duty officer, she is responsible for dispatching Red Cross volunteers to meet with families impacted by home fires and other disasters in order to provide immediate emergency assistance. “The pandemic definitely changed the way I do my duty officer job, that’s for sure. I'm on shift Monday 7am - 7pm and Wednesday 7am - 7am. Before COVID-19, I didn't interview the client [resident impacted by disaster] directly. I sent volunteer responders to the scene and they handled interviewing. Now, I get the call from our Emergency Communications Center, make contact with the person in charge at the scene and get client contact information and livability [damage]. I call the client and interview them over the phone. I then arrange for a drop off spot where our responder can leave a client assistance card [financial assistance] and paperwork...Personally, there’ve been times where I’m watching the news and I’m crying, which is to be expected in this type of situation. I’ve started my garden. I planted a whole bunch of vegetables inside – I have five different types of vegetables that I planted inside. I have the trays set up with egg cartons in them and the seeds in each little pocket. I have three different types of tomatoes, cucumbers and string beans. Otherwise, I’m checking in with my parents, checking in with all my friends on Long Island, another friend in Tennessee, and so on and so forth.”
A post shared by American Red Cross Greater NY (@redcrossny) on




#MyRedCrossLife #StayAtHome Edition: Over these next few weeks we’ll be sharing short stories of our team members adapting to this new #COVID19 reality. Thank you to all Red Crossers who continue to make a difference from home or wherever they are! Dr. Thomas Hlenki is an independent mental health practitioner in Long Island who also serves as Disaster Mental Health Lead for the Red Cross on Long Island. “My job with the Red Cross is to anticipate what are or what might be the mental health needs of our community [after disasters] and our workforce. Last week we initiated the availability of our team to take calls from the Long Island Red Cross workforce and offer support and coping strategies. We also asked leadership to identify volunteers and staff that are isolated due to COVID 19 and might benefit from a friendly support call. We’ll check-in and see how they're doing and give them some tips or some referrals if necessary, but most importantly we want to say we're thinking about them, that they matter. In addition, we will also be participating in a weekly wellness note to the workforce. Disaster Mental Health throughout our region as well as nationally are supporting Red Cross team members in a variety of significant ways...During these, difficult times, I'm coping well. I've been busy with my practice, everything has switched to Skype and phone. I have had some healthy distractions like baking and gardening. I've been very vigilant about staying away from the active news cycle, it's been helpful for me to do that.”
A post shared by American Red Cross Greater NY (@redcrossny) on




#MyRedCrossLife #StayAtHome Edition: Over these next few weeks we’ll be sharing short stories of our team members adapting to this new #COVID19 reality. Thank you to all Red Crossers who continue to make a difference from home or wherever they are! Kelly Molina (@kellymolina18) is a Senior at @baruch_college majoring in corporate communications and minoring in marketing. She serves as a Social Media Intern at @redcrossny. “I work full-time as a marketing assistant, along with my Red Cross internship and the two classes I’m taking in my final semester of college, and everything is remote now. With my Red Cross work, my priority is sharing safety and coping resources about #Coronavirus and the need for blood donations on social media…My routine has changed completely now; for instance, last week when I was staying home, I always felt so sleepy, and I was a little sick, although I’m feeling much better now. You feel like your mood changes and you get bored easily. But we’re all taking precautions, especially my family, because we live near Elmhurst Hospital, where there have been a lot of outbreaks.”
A post shared by American Red Cross Greater NY (@redcrossny) on

Monday, April 13, 2020

In Case You Missed It - April 13


Over the last seven days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 65  adults and 10 children following 27 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities. (See below)

Last Week in Review 
  • On Friday, we shared a new podcast episode featuring volunteer Phil Cogan who is supporting our disaster response work from his home in Manhattan during Coronavirus. We also featured him on Instagram.
  • Also on Friday, we shared a new #MyRedCrossLife Instagram post featuring dedicated volunteer Kim Taylor.
  • For World Health Day, we recognized health care workers around the world for their everyday heroism and sacrifices – especially during this #COVID19 pandemic.
  • Last Tuesday, The Examiner Media shared an article about Steps to Take to Address Your Mental Health During a Pandemic, featuring one of our mental health leads Alec Cecil Red Crosser.
  • We have modified our course offerings to keep our new and recertifying First Aid/CPR and BLS students up to date on important lifesaving skills. Learn more by visiting: https://rdcrss.org/2VaZJga

Upcoming Events and Opportunities

Monday, April 6, 2020

In Case You Missed It - April 6


#StayHome
Over the last seven days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 156 adults and 46 children following 27 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities. (See below)

Last Week in Review 

Upcoming Events and Opportunities

Wednesday, April 1, 2020

Staying Fire Safe Amid Coronavirus Crisis

Last night, the American Red Cross responded to two 3-alarm fires across New York City, providing emergency assistance to 40 families. These responses marked the end of a month with 200+ disaster responses for the Red Cross across the Greater New York Region, mostly fires, after which the organization provided emergency assistance to nearly 1200 residents in NYC, Long Island, the Lower Hudson Valley and Greenwich, Conn.


These incidents are a reminder of the importance of fire safety. The Red Cross is encouraging families to use this time, while sheltering in place together, to talk about fire safety and practice fire drills. Below are a few tips:

Top tips:

  • Ensure you have working smoke alarms in your home and test them regularly.
  • Teach children what smoke alarms sound like and what to do when they hear one.
  • Ensure that all household members know how to escape from every room of your home and know the family meeting spot outside of your home.
  • Practice escaping from your home. Press the smoke alarm test button or yell “Fire“ to alert everyone that they must get out. Ensure you can escape your home in two minutes.
  • Make sure everyone knows how to call 9-1-1.
  • Teach household members to STOP, DROP and ROLL if their clothes should catch on fire.
  • Establish a family emergency communications plan and ensure that all household members know who to contact if they cannot find one another.
Cook more safely
  • Stay in the kitchen when frying, grilling or broiling food. Stay in the home while simmering, baking, roasting or boiling food.
  • Keep pets off cooking surfaces and countertops.
  • Keep the stove area clean and clear of things that can catch fire, such as pot holders, towels, curtains, bags, and other appliances.
  • If you are cooking and a fire starts in a pan, slide a lid over the burning pan and turn off the burner. Leave the lid in place until the pan is completely cool. Moving the pan can cause serious injury or spread the fire. Never pour water on grease fires.
If you do nothing else:
  • Talk to children regularly about the dangers of fire, matches and lighters and keep them out of reach.
  • Keep items that can catch on fire at least three feet away from anything that gets hot, such as space heaters.
  • Smoking materials are the leading cause of residential fire deaths in the United States. If you smoke, take precautions: Smoke outside; choose fire-safe cigarettes; never smoke in bed, when drowsy or medicated, or if anyone in the home is using oxygen.
  • Turn portable heaters off when you leave the room or go to sleep.
  • Never leave a burning candle unattended, even for a minute.
Click here or visit www.redcross.org/prepare for more Red Cross fire safety tips.

Last night the Red Cross helped residents forced from their homes after two large fires. One in Brooklyn and another in the Bronx.
  • Brooklyn: The Red Cross responded to the fire on Hancock Street providing assistance, including emergency housing and financial assistance to 7 families (22 adults/9 children).
  • Bronx: The Red Cross responded to the fire on Grand Concourse providing assistance, including emergency housing and financial assistance, to 33 families (80 adults/21 children).
The Red Cross will continue to work with these residents (remotely) over the coming days to address additional needs.

The Red Cross is committed to ensuring the safety of their workforce and the people they serve. New protocols enacted by the Red Cross include remote casework and registration as well as social distancing. As this coronavirus crisis continues to evolve, the Red Cross will continue to support those impacted by local disasters.