Disaster Action Teams are among the first to respond on the scene of local emergencies
St. Louis, Wednesday, March 21, 2007 - As part of a new pilot program, thirteen Red Cross youth volunteers recently completed orientation and are now serving alongside adult volunteers as dedicated members of the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter's Disaster Action Team. As Disaster Action Team members, volunteers provide immediate assistance on the scene of local emergencies - including food, clothing and shelter. Each year, these teams assist more than 1,100 families who lose their homes to fire.
The St. Louis Area Chapter implemented the mentoring program to pair seasoned youth volunteers with experienced adults after receiving feedback from the youth regarding their interest in providing direct services to Red Cross clients. The young adult volunteers are active in Red Cross YouthCorps, a program sponsored by the St. Louis Area Chapter and designed to engage youth from junior high through college in peer-to-peer safety education. Serving alongside their adult counterparts on the Disaster Action Team, these volunteers have expanded their Red Cross volunteer responsibilities and are now instrumental in delivering fundamental emergency services to victims of disasters.
"Working shoulder-to-shoulder with adult volunteers is the best way to engage youth in the Red Cross mission to help our communities prevent, prepare for and respond to disasters and emergencies," said Drenda Underwood, school curriculum specialist for the St. Louis Area Chapter. "Serving as a member of the Disaster Action Team is a great way for young adults to experience what the Red Cross does in our community every day."
The following YouthCorps members are currently active members of the Red Cross Disaster Action Team
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Bharat Anant (Creve Coeur, MO - Parkway North High School)
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Aaron Chunn (St. Louis, MO - McKinley CJA)
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Sam Fok (Maryland Heights, MO - Parkway North High School)
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Vaishnavi Hariprasad (Ballwin, MO - MICDS)
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Adee Heiman (Creve Coeur, MO - Parkway North High School)
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Alyce Kanabrocki (Creve Coeur, MO - Parkway North High School)
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Kayci Merritte (Maryland Heights, MO - Pattonville High School)
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Ariana Mooradian (Kirkwood, MO - MICDS)
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David Oldroyd (Maryland Heights, MO - Parkway North High School)
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Will Perry (Florissant, MO - Florissant Valley Community College)
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Amit Shintre (Maryland Heights, MO - Parkway North High School)
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Liv Witkowski (Frontenac, MO - MICDS)
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Albert Zheng (Maryland Heights, MO - Parkway North High School)
Will Perry, 19, has been a Red Cross YouthCorps volunteer for the past four years. Will discovered his interest in the Disaster Action Team during a recent Red Cross presentation that highlighted emergency services outreach. Will says the experience has significantly changed his outlook.
"When you experience the Disaster Action Team, you experience real people and real emotion - you see it first hand," said Will Perry.
"Because of my service on the Disaster Action Team, I now associate a fire with the face of someone in need and I realize that something like that could happen to me or someone I know. It feels good to help."
Several disaster responses have been especially memorable for Will. In one situation, Will was amazed at how grateful a family was to receive Red Cross services and how the family went out of their way to show kindness despite having lost everything to fire. Will also remembers a 10-year-old child who received Red Cross assistance, including new shoes, after escaping barefoot from his burning home.
About Red Cross YouthCorps:
Inspiring a new generation of volunteers is a key priority for the American Red Cross, and youth have an important role in delivering Red Cross programs and services on behalf of the St. Louis Area Chapter. The American Red Cross YouthCorps Program is designed for young adults from junior high through college. YouthCorps trains individuals in the programs and services of the American Red Cross during after-school group sessions held once a week. Training focuses on health and safety and disaster preparedness, and Red Cross programs are then presented by YouthCorps members throughout area schools. Last year, YouthCorps members reached nearly 3,800 peers and remained active in community outreach through various service projects.
As an active member of YouthCorps, students are eligible to attend a three-day, two-night Leadership Development Camp at Trout Lodge each summer. YouthCorps members also receive free training and Red Cross certification in first aid and CPR. Leadership roles are available through the Youth Advisory Board, which plans activities and programs for area YouthCorps members and provides insight regarding important issues for high school students. In addition, two YouthCorps members currently serve on the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter's Board of Directors.
To start a YouthCorps group in an area school, students need a school sponsor, a classroom where the group can meet, and at least six high school students interested in peer teaching and service projects.
About Red Cross Emergency Services:
The American Red Cross provides immediate assistance with food, clothing, shelter and other needs in the wake of disasters and emergencies. The Red Cross is able to respond throughout the region 24 hours a day, seven days a week due to the dedication of volunteers who give freely of their time. The Red Cross is not a government agency, and the St. Louis Area Chapter is able to provide disaster relief assistance that is free of charge to those in need thanks to generous public support.
"We are so glad to have these YouthCorps volunteers as full-fledged members of the St. Louis Area Chapter's Disaster Action Team," said Becky White, disaster specialist for the St. Louis Area Chapter. "They are doing an amazing job and have proven their commitment to serving our neighbors during their time of need."
For More Information:
To learn more about the YouthCorps program or Red Cross emergency services, please call the St. Louis Area Chapter at 314.516.2800 or log on to www.redcrossstl.org.
About the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter:
Founded in 1917, the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter celebrates 90 years of dedicated service, providing emergency relief and preparedness training more than 410,000 times each year. The Red Cross is not a government agency and depends on the efforts of thousands of volunteers and donors to provide a wide range of community support services, including disaster relief, first aid and CPR training, water safety, services to military personnel and support for blood services. The Chapter, a United Way agency, provides programs and services to St. Louis City, St. Louis County, St. Charles County and Jefferson County in Missouri, as well as Monroe, St. Clair (including Scott Air Force Base) and part of Madison County in Illinois. All disaster relief services are provided free of charge thanks to the generosity of the American people. To learn more about Red Cross programs, volunteer opportunities, and how you can help, contact the St. Louis Area Chapter at 314.516.2800 or www.redcrossstl.org.
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