Creating Community: What I learned during my time at the Red Cross

By Caroline Hroncich 

On a hot Monday in August I found myself standing on a street in the Bronx wearing a bright yellow and red reflective vest with two American Red Cross Disaster Action Team (DAT) volunteers. They were assisting a woman who had lost her apartment of 15 years in a fire. She had just returned from the hospital, and, for someone who had just lost her home, she was surprisingly calm.

While I and the other DAT members were speaking with her, a young boy passed by, dribbling a basketball. “I’m glad you’re okay!” he yelled as he waved in our direction. The woman smiled and waved backed. I thought at that moment that this experience, although small, wholly summed up my time interning with the Red Cross. 

Before this summer, other than donating at the occasional blood drive, I had not interacted with the Red Cross. I was somewhat familiar with disaster relief, but had never quite taken that step to volunteer. So when I received an internship offer from the Communications Department of the Greater New York Red Cross Region, I eagerly accepted. What I learned about their work was much greater than I could have expected.

Interning with Communications, part of my job was to speak to with families who were helped by Red Cross volunteers in order to write their stories. I quickly learned that it doesn’t get easier listening to people tell the story of what may very well be the one of the worst days of their lives. Although all of these people came from different backgrounds and had suffered disasters ranging from fires to floods.

I realized they all had one thing in common: hope. There was a certain smile that appeared on someone’s face when he or she talked about that one special Red Cross caseworker or volunteer who had helped them through their difficult time.

The Red Cross creates a community for those who have experienced disasters; it creates a place where they can turn for reassurance that their hard time will end. It provides them with resources to help them effectively recover, and a case worker to help ensure that they do.  

So as I stood on that corner, watching this woman surrounded by her children and neighbors, I realized that community is what helps people truly recover from disasters. It’s the love and kindness of the people around you. By providing people with a place to turn, the Red Cross creates a community of resources and support, while simultaneously helping people preserve their own communities.

I was happy that this woman and her children would have a place to stay only a few blocks away from her neighborhood, so she could return and see the people she cared about the most. As the Red Cross van pulled away from the Bronx building, I was satisfied to know that we’d helped make her life just a little bit easier. Sometimes all you need is a simple “glad you’re okay!” to help you through the day; but for those times when you need a little bit more, it’s reassuring to know that the Red Cross is there to help.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

In the last week the Red Cross provided emergency relief in the form of shelter, food, clothing, health services and/or emotional support to 279 New Yorkers impacted by 46 disasters in our region. Here are some highlights from the last week.

LAST WEEK IN REVIEW

• Over the weekend, Red Cross volunteers helped 35 people after a three-alarm fire on Saratoga Avenue in Yonkers broke out late Saturday evening. In coordination with Yonkers OEM, a shelter was set up at the Peter Chema Community Center. Volunteers worked all night to make sure all affected had support and a safe place to sleep. See pictures. 

• On August 9, a number of Red Cross volunteers spent Saturday on Staten Island participating in a Superstorm Sandy rebuild. The rebuild took place with our partner, Tunnel to Towers, that received a Red Cross grant to rebuild homes damaged by Sandy. See photos.
• Red Cross volunteers from Metro New York North partnered with members of our FDNY Disaster Assistance Response Team for an ERV (Emergency Response Vehicle) Road Test on Aug. 9.
• The Visiting Nurse Service of New York will be hosting four Disaster Distress Response Programs in the Greater New York area this August. The programs are funded by the American Red Cross, Read our web story to find out more about the upcoming programs.
• On Aug. 4, the Red Cross assisted residents displaced by a vacate on Kings Highway in Brooklyn. Red Cross registered 28 families for possible assistance, and provided emergency housing to three adults. 
• Over 100 people attended the Train the Trainer preparedness workshop on August 6. The event was part of the Governor's Preparedness initiative to train 20,000 New Yorkers by March, 2015. See photos.

My Experience as a Red Cross Summer Intern

by Emily Seyle

Having a passion for human rights, I was drawn to the idea of an internship with the Youth Services department at the American Red Cross Greater NY Region. As a senior pursuing a dual degree in economics and human rights at UConn, I have been learning about the amazing work of the American Red Cross for as long as I can remember.

Despite my relevant coursework however, I was truly naïve about the level of commitment by both staff and volunteers. Within minutes of walking through the door on my first day, it immediately became clear that the love for the work of the Red Cross runs deep throughout the region and organization as a whole.

Many of my responsibilities consisted of developing methods to engage students throughout the region as they are an integral part of present and future Red Cross efforts. I am lucky to have had the opportunity to work with student volunteers; it helped me understand the strength of the Red Cross. The accomplishments of these students is incredible. I felt inspired that the Red Cross works to not only inspire but to also empower its volunteers of all ages. A student once told me that volunteering for the Red Cross created opportunities they had never thought possible. As I write this post on my last day as a Youth Services Intern, I believe this same statement to be true for me as well.

The greatest impact this internship had on me was a result of my amazing supervisors, Amanda Crabbe and Trent Shafer. Amanda and Trent trusted me to take on projects and make them my own. I loved that I was constantly challenged to explore new avenues for completing tasks that served to mature my skillsets. Being able to contribute and develop my ideas without fear of rejection was the most important part of my internship because it allowed me to gain real work experience.

I am extremely fortunate to be able to say that my time as Communications and Social Media Intern for Youth Services is by far the best work experience I’ve ever had. As I go on to complete my final semester (and thus begin the daunting search for a career), I know that my internship with the American Red Cross provided me not only with invaluable skills and work experience but also a new place to call home. 

My Red Cross Internship

by Alice Ding

When I started my internship this summer in the Communications Department at the American Red Cross Greater New York Region, I had limited knowledge of the organization. On my first day, my supervisors gave me a brief tour of the office building and an overview of the mission of the Red Cross.

This was the first time I became aware that the organization is involved with blood drives as well as disaster relief efforts. Through my day-to-day tasks, mini-projects and a ride-along experience to a disaster response, I learned what it takes to be a Red Crosser.

I worked as a social media/editorial intern. Part of my job as an editorial intern was to interview volunteers and staff members to learn their Red Cross roles and experiences. One recurring theme during my conversations was genuineness. Everyone I interviewed said Red Crossers sincerely care about those in need. 

This was also my experience on a ride-along with Gerald Rothstein, a Red Cross volunteer disaster responder. Gerald was patient with a couple affected by a house fire, explaining how the Red Cross was able to assist them and answering all their questions. 

Even though they don’t go into the field as often as the responders, everyone in my department also cares about the community. My supervisors are constantly coming up with creative content to engage the public and inform them to be prepared in times of disaster. Part of my job is to monitor and update social media to help the community stay informed of disasters happening in the Greater NY region and the resources they can access.

As my internship progressed, I became proud to contribute to an organization that strives to help the community and places the well-being of people before anything else. I’m glad I was able to spend my summer around a group of selfless individuals. The most rewarding part for me was being able to speak to inspiring Red Crossers and help to spread their experiences to the community.

Going back and finishing my last semester at NYU as a communications major, I hope to continue stay involved with the Red Cross and help out when I can.

Red Cross Help for Bronx Family

Yvette Carvajal and her Red Cross casworker, Lilliam Rivera-Cruz

by Caroline Hroncich

A relaxing day at the beach quickly took a turn for the worse for the Carvajal family. Forty-three year-old Yvette Carvajal had taken her two children, Jasmine, 10, and David, 15, to the beach on July 19, in celebration of Jasmine’s birthday, when she received a frantic phone call from a neighbor: Their Bronx apartment was on fire. Fortunately, the American Red Cross was there to provide assistance.   

When they got back to their Garfield Street home of seven years, Carvajal was shocked at the scene unfolding before her. The fire department was almost finished putting out the fire, and there was hardly anything left to recover.

“There was broken glass everywhere,” she said, “When I went to the back and saw the destruction in my room and my son’s room; that got me bad.” 

Carvajal said she felt lost, unsure of what she was going to do, and where she was going to stay. Then two Red Cross volunteers approached her.

“They comforted me,” Carvajal said. “They asked if I had a place to go. I told them I was going to stay in my car. The man said ‘We will get you a place to stay.’”

The Red Cross provided the Carvajal family with temporary housing close to their neighborhood. They also received emergency funds for new clothing, since they now had only their beach wear.

“I left my home fine,” Carvajal said, “and came back and find it was gone. My apartment was where we felt comfortable. That was my home.”

There is no doubt Yvette Carvajal’s strength allowed her to stay positive throughout this experience. Carvajal said her Red Cross caseworker, Lillian Rivera-Cruz, helped her to get access to the resources she and her two children need to move forward.

“Right now the Red Cross has given me hope, and is guiding me to the path I’m supposed to be on to start over,” she said. “I feel very thankful."

In Case You Missed It

In the last week the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency relief in the form of shelter, food, clothing, health services and/or emotional support to 104 New Yorkers impacted by 44 local disasters in our region. Here is a upcoming Yankees event and some highlights from the last week.
Upcoming Event

• Buy reduced-cost premium tickets to the Yankees vs. Astros game on August 20 and help the Red Cross at the same time! Step Up to the Plate and get your tickets today! http://www.redcross.org/news/event/ny/mineola/Buy-Yankees-Tickets

Last Week in Review

• Our Metro New York North logistics team met on Saturday to develop future disaster team leaders. The program included disaster training and simulations to prepare logistics team members to provide high-quality assistance in times of emergency. See photos at the Metro NY North Facebook page.
• On August 1, regional staff members enjoyed a relaxing afternoon at the all-staff BBQ with some delicious burgers prepared by the Greater New York management team. (Photo above)
• The Red Cross assisted residents affected by a 4-alarm fire on Hill Ave in the Bronx on Wednesday. We provided temporary housing to 14 adults and 3 children in addition to financial and emotional support. The Red Cross case managers provided further assistance to those in need.
• Nearly 40 Red Crossers attended the Metro NY North quarterly regional meeting on Tuesday, hearing updates about Red Cross programs and services from the MNYN and Greater NY teams. 
• Greater NY CEO Josh Lockwood talked about water safety with the Wall Street Journal. Check out the video, below to see the five essential skills you need to stay safe in the water. 

ICP Welcomes New Volunteers

By Nina Raffio

Recently, the Greater New York Red Cross held an orientation for new Individual and Community Preparedness (ICP) Department volunteers. The volunteers heard an overview of ICP's role at the Red Cross and learned about Red Cross outreach programs and opportunities.

The orientation also included interactive mock-presentations and skits. Volunteers paired up and practiced the "Be Red Cross Ready" preparedness presentation, doing "teach-backs" to familiarize themselves with the material. They also learned how to staff tabling events by acting out different scenarios/skits. Some volunteers performed their skits in Spanish, which brought a new dynamic to the group.

The ICP department is excited to work with its new volunteers. It thanks them for attending the orientation and for bringing great energy to the event. Volunteers comprise 95 percent of the Red Cross workforce, and their importance cannot be emphasized enough.

"ICP, as well as Red Cross as a whole, thanks these volunteers for taking the time to interview and attend orientation," said Shawn Walton, an ICP staff member who also attended Thursday's event, "We thank them for continuing to help carry out the department's mission and organization's goal to alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies, both in New York and nationally."

Red Cross volunteers practice a Be Red Cross Ready presentation in a teach-back exercise.

Volunteers learn how to staff tabling events by taking turns and performing skits.