Home- Red Cross Youth
- LinkedIn
- Goodreads
Sandy Tesch
-
Posts
- May 21, 12The Bay Area in California is one of the many hotspots for Red Cross volunteerism among youth. Brandon Yan, club president of his Red Cross Club at Aragon High School, is one of the reasons why. His club and many others in the Bay Area stay active by creating these unique and fun events to raise money for the Red Cross. Below, Brandon recounts the success of his club’s Fun Run last week:On Saturday May 12th, 2012, the Aragon High School American Red Cross Club hosted its First Annual Red Cross Fun Run at Coyote Point Park. Our goal was to raise awareness about the mission of the American Red Cross and fund raise for this organization. The event included a 3 mile run around the beautiful Park, BBQ food for sale, raffle ticket prizes, and lots of fun and excitement. The Emergency Response Vehicle was present to show community members how we respond to emergencies. In all, over 70 individuals took part in the event, including Stanley Roberts, a news reporter for Kron 4, and we received over $500 worth of net donations. We’d like to thank our sponsors, Shinozaki Automotive, RocketFuel, James Chen Orthodontics, and Folger Graphics as well as all the volunteers and individuals who helped make this event possible.~Sarah Whitesmwhite.nyc@gmail.com
- May 21, 12
Matt Irwin is a rising junior majoring in international affairs at The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. and originally from New Jersey. For the past several months, Matt served as a Youth Programs Intern within the Department of Volunteer Engagement at the American Red Cross of the National Capital Region. As an intern, Matt was primarily tasked with jumpstarting involvement in, and expanding Red Cross school clubs in Metro D.C. middle schools and high schools. Matt also contributed to preparing the day-long simulation of warlike scenarios called “Raid Cross” for Capitol area youth, to take place next month. The simulation was originally developed by the Belgian Red Cross and is today used by many Red Cross societies to teach youth the laws governing international humanitarian law*. [1]
Conveying his experience interning with the American Red Cross, Matt stated:
“As this was my first professional internship I gained a lot from my experience with the American Red Cross and will always look back fondly on it, with good memories of how I grew. I was surrounded by a great group of co-workers out in both the Montgomery and Fairfax Offices of the American Red Cross, and they helped me out tremendously whenever I needed assistance or made typical intern missteps. I have really noticed an improvement in my communication skills, both personally and professionally. I find myself better able to compose a professionally-worded email or document in a short amount of time and I also notice that I am more out-going, succinct and direct when talking with colleagues and volunteers.”
Over the summer months Matt will move on to work with the U.S. Department of Transportation, but he hopes to remain involved with the American Red Cross. “Raid Cross is not until late June so I am still communicating with my boss about anything I can contribute toward planning the final stages of the event…It was a great experience to intern and make an impact on the organization in that way, but I would also like to begin volunteering sometime soon!”
~ Alison Inceu
ainceu.nyc@gmail.com[1] Matt explained, “Raid Cross consists of 7 “posts”, each with a different theme related to International Humanitarian Law. Youth (aged 12-18) cycle through these posts led by adult volunteers and facilitators throughout the day. Posts include “Sniper”, “Wounded”, “Humanitarian Aid”, and “Military Tribunal” in which the students take part in a simulation meant to teach them about applicable laws from International Humanitarian Law, that apply to the treatment of wounded civilians and humanitarian aid during times of war. The war in which they are partaking is the Haddarian/Deldarian War.”
- May 21, 12The Mamaroneck High School Red Cross Club’s most outstanding disaster response was during Hurricane Irene in August 2011. The American Red Cross established a large evacuation shelter at the high school due to fears of flooding and other storm damage. Under my coordination as club president, the club provided 13 volunteers during the critical first two days and nights. As soon as we walked into the shelter, it was hectic. There were not enough volunteers to register the large number of clients that were streaming through the door. Club members quickly registered 100 and prevented those clients from having to stand out in the rain for an extended period of time. Not enough cots were set up for the ever growing number of clients. While half of the club was registering people, the other half was setting up cots and assigning clients to their appropriate dormitory area. On the second day, club members served meals and snacks to the clients. Clients, especially the children, were beginning to become restless. Over 40 children were running around creating a mess, so the club set up a children’s entertainment table with dozens of books and coloring books. The joy this brought to not only kids but their parents was noticeable and calmed the shelter’s atmosphere down. The chapter’s Red Cross volunteers were spread thin. In describing the work of the club, both shelter managers said that, “It could not have been done without you. For more information on how to get your Red Cross club of youth program involved in Disaster Services, please visit here and contact me with any questions.~Eli Russeruss.nyc@gmail.com
- May 15, 12
Although Armed Forces Week is a modern-day celebration, the relationship between the American Red Cross and the U.S. military stretches back more than a century.
Clara Barton’s work during the Civil War, including helping wounded soldiers write letters to loved ones back home, forever linked the Red Cross with our country’s armed forces. The spirit of Barton’s work lives on through what is now Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces (SAF).
The American Red Cross has provided help and support to troops and their families during every major conflict of the past century, including both world wars, the Vietnam War and present-day operations in Afghanistan.
Red Cross SAF workers are present at more than 50 military installations around the world, including in forward-deployed locations. Through these military installations and the network of Red Cross chapters across the country, the Red Cross works 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to relay emergency messages to deployed service members, including those in remote locations and on ships at sea.
Red Cross staff also provide support at military and veterans hospitals. Red Cross volunteer teams meet wounded troops as they arrive and are there to provide information, comfort items and food for patients and their families. These volunteers visit wounded, ill or injured patients throughout their stay to deliver items such as toiletries, quilts, phone cards, books and computer games.
In light of the increased pressure on military families due to repeat deployments, the Red Cross has also developed programs to better serve families’ needs. Free courses, including Coping With Deployments and the Reconnection Workshops, were designed to address the challenges that troops and their loved ones face during and after deployment.
If you’d like to support the work of the Red Cross with our nation’s military, read how you can help.
This article came from redcross.org
- May 09, 12
Parents say that good babysitters are hard to find, according to a new American Red Cross poll.
The Red Cross poll found that in the past 24 months, 55 percent of parents surveyed decided to stay home because they couldn’t find a babysitter. The survey also found that nearly a third (30 percent) of parents rejected a potential babysitter because of safety concerns.
Parents want to entrust their children to babysitters trained in first aid, CPR and childcare skills, and more than 80 percent of parents believe that teenage babysitters should be paid more if they have these skills. However, eight in 10 parents (83 percent) have looked to adult relatives, while nearly half (48 percent) have relied on adult friends to watch their children.
“Parents want recommended sitters who have childcare training and CPR certification” said Tener Goodwin Veenema PhD, MPH, RN, FAAN, a member of the Red Cross Scientific Advisory Council. “As a mother of four, I know that there is more to choosing a babysitter than price or availability. The safety and welfare of our children is first and foremost.”
About half (51 percent) of Americans rely on unpaid babysitters, and nearly a quarter (24 percent) pay between $6 and $10 an hour for someone to watch their children. Ten percent pay between $11 and $15 an hour; while four percent pay between $16 and $20 an hour, making babysitting a potentially lucrative option for qualified teenagers.
A majority of parents believe sitters should be paid more if they are trained to help a child who is choking, recognize potential emergency situations, identify items that could be hazardous to small children, and give first aid for minor cuts and bruises. More than three in four (77 percent) of parents with children younger than 17 feel teenagers should receive some training before they begin babysitting.
The Red Cross babysitting, CPR and first aid courses teach teens how to care for young children and handle emergency situations. The American Red Cross babysitting certification course gives youth the knowledge and confidence to care for infants and school-aged children. Adults can also boost their babysitting skills by enrolling in CPR and First Aid courses. To learn more about Red Cross training courses, please visit redcross.org.
(This story was taken from redcross.org).
- May 08, 12
Today is WORLD RED CROSS DAY!!! Events all around the world will be happening in honor of the organization.
Is your club doing anything for Red Cross Day? Then send us your pictures and a brief caption of your club at YouthInvolvement@redcross.org and we can post it in our gallery!
~Sarah White
National Youth Council Member
- May 07, 12The Fourth of July holiday is traditionally one of the most difficult times of year for blood centers. In an effort to combat the predicted decrease in donations, the American Red Cross Blood Services – Central Plains Region is hosting the Red, White & You Community Blood Drive at the Sedgwick County Zoo during the Fourth of July weekend for the fifth straight year! Red, White & You (RWY) is the first blood drive in the history of the Central Plains Region to bring the entire Wichita community together at a special venue to donate blood. Wichita is joining the ranks of hundreds of communities throughout Kansas that frequently host successful community blood drives, allowing donors to give alongside their friends and family and then enjoy a fun day at the Sedgwick County Zoo. This drive brings in over 700 units of blood over the 3 day drive. The Red Cross has two branches that function separately, but work together to provide our ultimate goal – high quality, relevant services that help people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Each service the Red Cross provides makes our community healthier, stronger or more prepared.~ Saajan Bhaktasbhakta.nyc@gmail.com
- May 07, 12
I am very excited to be a summer intern at the National Headquarters of the American Red Cross this summer, working in the newly-created Humanitarian Services department under recently hired VP, Jim Starr. While I will be primarily working on gathering research regarding volunteerism and its trends around the nation, I will also have the chance to work on ongoing projects involving youth project development. There are a plethora of opportunities to work at NHQ (as we fondly call Headquarters), and I cannot wait to be surrounded by interns with experience far different than my own. This summer, I will get to experience—full-force—the thing that I have always loved most during my six-years’ time volunteering with the American Red Cross: the ability of volunteers to come together, combining their unique knowledge and experience to drive the Red Cross into the future with fresh, new ways to make the mission a part of everyday lives.
~Brie Stark
bcstark.nyc@gmail.com - May 07, 12As Director of Youth and Young Adult Services for the American Red Cross Los Angeles Region, I get to work with some of the most talented youth volunteers and witness their volunteer journey with the Red Cross. 2 of my senior youth volunteers in particular have accomplished so much during their tenure as Presidents of their local Red Cross Youth Executive Board (E-Board) and have received numerous awards and recognition for their work. Their reward? College acceptance into a prestigious 8 year medical program at Brown University and receiving a $60,000 scholarship to attend Loyola Marymount University School of Film and Television.
Heejae Yang began volunteering with the Red Cross as a freshman at Palisades Charter High School in Los Angeles. She joined the Red Cross Club at her school and participated in local events at the West LA Red Cross chapter office. Heejae became very active coordinating Safe Kids Trainings, Disaster Safety Puppet Shows, and fundraising for Measles Initiative. She was recognized by a local news station, KTLA 5, as a “Hero at Home” for her work in training over 1,500 children in earthquake and fire safety through our puppet show. As president of the West LA E-Board, Heejae continued to make a positive impact through mentoring several new youth volunteers and supporting 7 Red Cross clubs in her district. I was honored and proud to write a letter of recommendation for Heejae’s college applications and was thrilled when she accepted into Brown’s 8 year medical program. I know she will continue to exude her positive influences wherever she goes as she continues volunteering with the Red Cross.
Siena Oberman is one of the most creative youth volunteers I have ever encountered and has extreme initiative and personal drive. She started her volunteer journey with the Red Cross as a sophomore at Palos Verdes High School where she was instrumental in starting a Red Cross Club at her school. She was also a pioneer in creating a Youth Corps program at the South Bay Red Cross office and became President of the E-Board this past year expanding the youth program to support 5 Red Cross clubs in her district. She is extremely passionate about the Measles Initiative and is currently participating in the Wildfire Long Course Triathlon in a “Race for Life” campaign to raise $1,000 to vaccinate 1,000 children. This World Championship Ironman qualifier race includes a 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike ride, and 13.1 mile run! Siena received the LA Region “2011 Outstanding Youth Volunteer Award” in recognition for her contribution to the Red Cross. She will be attending the LMU School of Film and Television through a full scholarship and has aspirations to continue volunteering throughout college.
I am humbled by the extraordinary accomplishments of these 2 youth volunteers as they have given me more inspiration to provide meaningful opportunities for youth to make an impact through Red Cross volunteer service. You can make a difference too!!! Learn how to get more involved, by visiting www.RedCrossYouth.org and share your Red Cross story!
Bee Kong
National Youth Council Advisor
bkong.nyc@gmail.com
- May 03, 12
Next Tuesday is World Red Cross Day! Show your support of the Red Cross by getting involved in your community! Send us pictures of your event at YouthInvolvement@redcross.org!
-
Info
- Fund-Raising | San Francisco Bay Area, USEducationAdditional Information
-
Websites:
-
Reading
