Deployment: Small World, Big Heart: Laura B.

Bright Red Vests, rows of ERVs, and acronyms galore: welcome to American Red Cross disaster deployment. For disaster 491-11, Alabama Tornadoes, 700 plus people stood at the ready in Birmingham the day I arrived with the same mission: to provide disaster relief to greater Alabama from one of the most devastating tornadoes in over forty years.  I was able to meet volunteers from all over the country, of different ages, walks of life and perspectives.

I was tasked with Client Casework. To be honest, I was excited to get to contribute to relief efforts, but I prefer getting my hands dirty, and doing something active like Logistics or Mass Care where you’re always moving about.  Client Casework was very much on the frontlines of the relief effort but not in way that I had initially anticipated.  Client Casework is people focused, speaking with and assisting those who were affected by storm.

As impressed as I was my the multitudes of volunteers that flooded headquarters awaiting assignment, it paled in comparison to the spirit of resilience that poured from the people who had lost everything that owned.  “I have my wife, I have my children, and I’m alive.  That other stuff is just stuff, I have what’s important.” was a sentiment that was repeated when people would tell us their story.

I hesitate to recount their stories because if I had not heard them firsthand I would assume that they were an exaggeration. Some people were in their home during the storm. One gentleman was in his bath tub, picked up by the tornado (which was at some points was recorded to be almost a mile wide) and thrown to the other side of his yard.  Although he only suffered a broken collarbone, everything else in the home was destroyed beyond recognition.

Another family living in a mobile home was sucked up into the tornado and thrown over 30 feet. Only minor injuries were sustained. Many families reported their family pictures being found all the way in Tennessee, which was well over an hour’s drive from where we were stationed in Decatur, Alabama.

“Decatur (Alabama): it’s not boring, you are!” read a shirt that we found in a local store.

Decatur is a small, lovely laid back city in Alabama.   The volunteers that were a part of my team there carried a variety of skill sets.  Some of these included, a funeral director, a professional clown, a retired military wife who had a love for Maureen Dowd.  Despite being a seemingly motley crew, we made a pretty awesome team. We established a great rhythm in making sure that whoever sat down to speak with us had our full attention and that we did everything within our power to help reestablish normalcy in their lives.

I also had for the last week of my deployment to serve alongside some other AmeriCorps members: 2 members of the National Preparedness and Response Corps (NPRC) out of New York, 2 from Michigan, 2 from Greater L.A. and Meredith Storton, the other emergency services AmeriCorps member out of Santa Barbara.  I also ran into some people that I served alongside in AmeriCorps NCCC last year while in the field, which was a pleasant surprise.

All in all it was a great experience in an unfortunate time to be able to witness the beauty of the human spirit preserving in spite of it all.

**Photos taken by Jean Milan: California Safe Corps: Santa Monica.

Favorite Things: Laura J.

Approximately 10 months ago, I took a forty-hour drive across the country from Indiana to California. I had only a vague idea of my final destination, my future work, and the year ahead. In fact, since I did not know where I would be living when I finally arrived, I spent my first morning in Santa Barbara on the beach before work! However, I did have a sense of purpose and confidence in the AmeriCorps program. I knew that I would be serving my term with an organization that truly makes a difference in people’s lives. My year as an AmeriCorps with the American Red Cross confirms my belief. As our AmeriCorps service term with the American Red Cross comes to a close, I took some time to reflect on some favorites from the year and general California highlights. Modeling the format of a certain Santa Barbara resident who lists her “favorite things” yearly, here it goes!

Laura’s Favorite Things

1.  Learning from and listening to the stories of our wonderfully dedicated Red Cross volunteers. They have done some amazing things – from linking families who were separated by war, providing relief during disasters, and giving emergency preparedness presentations in the community to sharing stories about their fulfilling work with the American Red Cross. These are people whom I will call friends for years to come.

2.  Coordinating the Masters of Disaster Program. Through this program, which provides disaster preparedness presentations for students in grades K – 6, I was really able to meet members of the community and work with core group of presenters. I hope that the MOD program will continue after my term! In light of our motto “no longer scared, we’re Red Cross prepared,” we give youth the tools to prevent and prepare for disaster. This could be a really great national program!

3.  Facilitating the Club Red Leadership Retreat. This year, I worked with a really great group of high school students in our many Red Cross Clubs throughout Santa Barbara County. With the help of these students, I planned a leadership retreat in Santa Ynez for our youth club members. This retreat is also a great program to continue each year.

4.  Collaborating with the other Red Cross AmeriCorps in the Central Coast Region. From our first day together as “newbies” to California or the Red Cross to our last month together, I had much fun working them. Our volunteer projects and special events together included picking radishes at Four Loaves Farm, pulling ice plant to save native species during MLK day, boating out to Anacapa Island for a restoration project, filming AmeriCorps videos, teaching the Scouts basic first aid during a RC event, teaching a gym full of high school students CPR, and exploring the area.

5.  Living in Santa Barbara County. I live in a rather small town, which is very different from the other cities that I have live in so far. When I first moved here, I thought I fell right into a John Steinbeck novel with the rolling hills, vineyards, ranches, cows grazing everywhere, and purple mountains at a distance.

6.  Exploring California. During this year, I visited with family members in Northern California, and I saw parts of Southern California. I feel right at home here!

7.  Enjoying sites, bites, and sounds of the area. I visited the missions, walked down the pier in Santa Barbara, hiked up Gaviota, frequented the Natural Café and Yogurtland, and heard the Santa Barbara Symphony. I also played with the Lompoc Pops Orchestra.

8.  And lastly I have to add, going the beach. As I said on one blissful afternoon, “A step closer to the beach is a step closer to happiness.”

I will miss California and the American Red Cross! I am fortunate to have the opportunity to serve with them through AmeriCorps program. The program gives valuable professional experience, allows young adults to grow in their knowledge of communities throughout the U.S., and teaches the true meaning of public service.

Safe Kids Day 2011: Carsen

The American Red Cross’ Safe Kids Day 2011 was a huge success!  Held last Saturday, May 14^th, this morning-long event provided over 50 registered K-6 students with essential disaster preparedness information.  During the event, children learned how to stay safe during emergencies, received snacks from our emergency response vehicle (ERV), and also received Red Cross goodie bags.  Parents also attended the event’s closing ceremony where their child became “Safe Kid Certified”!

Throughout the morning, youth also rotated around 8 different safety stations including: Fire Safety, Earthquake Safety, Water Safety, Safe Hand Washing/Snack time, How to Build a Disaster Supplies Kit, Calling 9-1-1, and even and AED station.  Each station offered an interactive presentation where the children have the opportunity to practice life-saving skills.

Safe Kids Day is an extension of our American Red Cross Masters of Disaster (MOD) program in Santa Barbara county.  I want to extend a special thank you to the over 30 Red Cross volunteers who helped make this event such a success!

Spotlight: “Backstage” Volunteerism: Laura B.

The American Red Cross is able to have the impact that does in the community because the efforts of its boisterous core of volunteers.  Through community events and seminars on preparedness, the community at large is more prepared to be able to handle the treachery that Santa Barbara’s landscape can dish out at a moment’s notice. But, just like on Broadway, the star on stage giving the tear-jerking performance is not the only person that helped make the show what it is. It is the hundreds of “backstage” volunteers that make the American Red Cross the powerhouse that it is.

The Red Cross partners with groups such as Work Inc., Transition Partnership Project, and Santa Barbara School District to facilitate volunteerism for community members that have special needs.  They partner with the American Red Cross to facilitate volunteer opportunities and professional development for their cliental.  Job coaches work with the Community Services Department (formerly Office of Volunteers & Youth) to match a volunteer’s skill set to volunteer opportunities with the organization. The expectations and intake process and are identical to those other volunteers that come into the Red Cross, but is done one-on-one basis.

“Everybody has different skills that their good at, and everyone has weaknesses. We match each volunteer’s skill set with an organizational need. Anyone can volunteer. The standards are still the same; for example, they have to call me if they can’t come in to a volunteer appointment. We also help the volunteers develop professional and social skills. The groups that come in are supported with their Job Coaches who are trained in special needs development, volunteer along side their clients, assisting in the more intricate aspects of the project” states Lauren Ward, who started the program in 2009.

With the Central Coast Region managing over 2000 volunteers, organization, and data management helps the Red Cross be able to function at its best. Some of the activities the volunteers do are auditing de-activated files, and cross referencing hard files with their respective computer files for accuracy, ensures that the Red Cross is knows its volunteer corps, and is utilizing skill sets, giving opportunities that suit interests, all the while respecting any time constants the greater volunteer corps have.

A lot of the volunteers have professional development plans that the Job Coach assists with. The Job Coach facilitates work with the Red Cross and their clients, to help them foster personally as well as professionally development, an example being navigating the bus schedule or learning proper office decorum. “These volunteers are a huge asset to the organization; the working relationship is mutual beneficial” proclaims Ward.

Though the program is unable to take on more clients at this time, there are opportunities to volunteer to support the program, either serving as an aid, or as a program coordinator. If you are interested, please contact Lauren Ward: lward@sbredcross.org or 805-687-1331 ext 119.

We’d like to give a big THANK YOU to all of the “backstage volunteers”, but especially to Jared, Noni, Raquel, Austin, Regina, Susan, Emily, Timmy, Carly, Rob, Michelle, and Angela. You’re the best!!

Whale of a Tale: Laura J.

As Meredith mentioned in her previous post, three of us AmeriCorps (Meredith, Kris, and I) participated in the Channel Islands Restoration project on Anacapa Island as part of an AmeriCorps April day of service. Meredith eloquently described our day’s journey, so now you have an idea of what we did.  However, I would like mention a particular highlight of the trip – our boat ride to and from the island – and a resulting mishap.

After a very early morning drive, the three of us AmeriCorps were fired up and ready to

The boat that takes people to Anacapa Island.

board the boat in the Ventura Harbor for our hour-long ride to Anacapa.  Despite the chilly air and the hugeduffel bag that I was dragging around (why didn’t I bring a small backpack like everyone else!), I was particularly excited because I had never been on a boat on the ocean.  Meredith, Kris, and I climbed up to the top of the boat to enjoy the ride. What we didn’t realize was that it would be freezing up there!  Luckily, that didn’t dampen my spirits!  I sat in the captain’s seat for a minute, pretending to steer the boat, and I basked in the joy of seeing dolphins, sea otters, and a myriad of sea creatures trail the boat.  In particular, I really wanted to see a whale during the trip as it was just at the end of whale migration season.  At a couple points, Kris yelled “Whale!”  However, there were none to be seen.  We told Kris that we would not fall for his tricks, but he vowed to scam us by the end of the day.  Hmmm….we’ll see about that.

As our day at Anacapa come to a close, it was time for another boat ride! Fortunately, we had sunny and slightly warmer weather as we headed back to mainland.  I was enjoying the sunshine and midst from the salt water on the upper deck of the boat, when the restoration project’s enthusiastic leader Jonathan, approached Meredith and I.  He was talking to us, when suddenly his eyes got really big, and he said while pointing, “Is that a whale?!” Meredith and I looked over in that direction. Where?!!  My eyes then turned to Kris, who was laughing on the main deck. Kris, you got us!!!

Well, I didn’t get to see a whale on our service day to Anacapa, but now we have a whale of a tale!

Earth Day Adventure: Meredith

Happy Earth Day!

AmeriCorps Celebrating Earth Day 2011!

As NPRC AmeriCorps we have eight hours of outside volunteering a month (outside, meaning volunteering for an organization other than the Red Cross, not necessarily out-of-doors).  But this month, Laura J, Kris, and I DID volunteer outside; we traversed the Santa Barbara Channel to Anacapa Island, one of the five islands that make up Channel Islands National Park, one of the least visited National Parks.  We went with Channel Islands Restoration, a non-profit dedicated to protecting native species and restoring sensitive habitats on the islands and mainland, who we had worked with on our Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service back in January.  The day dawned cloudy and chilly and we bundled up as our trusty vessel, the Sea Ranger 2, took to the sea.  An hour later we climbed the 154 steps to terra firma on East Anacapa.  After a brief orientation, we grabbed our tools and set out to rescue some native and endemic plants from the ever-sneaky and water-hogging iceplant, an invasive species from South Africa that decorates many a garden in Southern California.  We hacked at the iceplant intent on creating “halos” around awesome plants like the Giant Coreopsis and the cute succulent named Dudleya, so that their root systems would be able to absorb some of the precious water that falls on the islands.  It was very satisfying work and as the marine layer burned off, the sun warmed our bodies and turned the ocean aquamarine.

We took a break for lunch at Inspiration Point, an apt name as the point opened westward and included the sheer cliffs, white surf, and the western piece of Anacapa and Santa Cruz Island.  Of course no NPRC AmeriCorps excursion is complete without a discussion of disasters, so as we munched on sandwiches we were sure to decide what we would do if an earthquake or tsunami hit.  Most may deem this behavior morbid, but for those of us, staff and volunteers alike, who are involved with the Red Cross it is almost second nature to insert disaster scenarios into everyday life.  Rounding out the Red Cross-related part of the trip, we learned some interesting tidbits about the unusual plate tectonics of the region which surely will pop up in our disaster education presentations!  The end of the day came quickly and as we took that wobbly leap from land to boat, we were a bit sad to go, but satisfied knowing that we had conquered the ferocious iceplant and rescued dozens of Giant Coreopsis from its icy grip!

House Fire DAT Call: Mike

3:30 AM – the phone rings.  I pick up my phone too groggy to see who is calling.  It’s our Disaster Action Team (DAT) dispatcher, “Hi Mike, are you available to respond to a fire?”  It took me a minute to decipher what that meant. In a half-awake grumbling voice I said, “Yes, where is it?”  The fire was in Oxnard, about 20 minutes from my apartment.  I got dressed and ran out to my truck, but half way out of the house I realized how cold it had gotten and retreated back indoors to get a jacket and beanie.  Once again I flew out the door, and this time I was on my way.

This was my first time responding to a house fire, so when I arrived on the scene I was unsure what I was supposed to do.  Fire trucks, hoses, and people were all out on the street, but where was I supposed to be?  Luckily, through the smoke and flashing lights I spotted three Red Cross vests worn by volunteers.  I made my way over, introducing myself and asking what I could do to help.  The team leader let me know that most everything was under control.

The entire family was Spanish speaking, so a few of the firefighters were translating for us.  This was an enormous help in figuring out what kind of help we could offer them.  The family would be spending the next few days in a motel because their house was mostly destroyed.  I assigned them a Client Assistance Card to help them purchase food and some clothing.  The looks on the family members faces when the translator explained how we were going to assist them really showed how much they appreciated the help and how important the Red Cross had now become in their lives.

Volunteer Appreciation Week: Carsen

This week is National Volunteer Appreciation Week!

Here's to our fabulous Red Cross Volunteers!

This very special week, established in 1974, aims to highlight all of the wonderful work that volunteers do throughout the country.   Here in the Central Coast Region, Red Cross staff members want to give an extra special shout-out to all of our amazing volunteers who dedicate many hours of hard work to support the mission of the Red Cross.

The theme of National Volunteer Week is “Celebrating People in Action.”  That is just what Red Cross volunteers are… people in action!  Red Cross volunteers take initiative in a moments notice to strengthen our communities and accomplish goals to make a difference.  Without volunteers, the American Red Cross could not complete its mission to provide relief to victims of disaster and help people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.  The work of the Red Cross could not be done without you, and we truly appreciate everything you do.

Red Cross volunteers help people affected by domestic and international disasters, teach lifesaving skills, serve members of the military and their families, provide critical administrative support, and so much more!

This week is YOUR week, volunteers, to share ideas, practices, and stories.  Let the world know about the amazing work you do!

To all of our volunteers – THANK YOU!!

It’s a Guy Thing: Kris

Are there any men in the room?  Okay, I see a couple of hands.  Now for you ladies in the room – have any of you ever attempted to hold a thought-provoking conversation with a guy before?  Ever – even if the attempt was unsuccessful?

For those of you who did raise their hand, you might be able to understand what I’m about to describe.  There’s a deep longing tucked away in the heart of every guy, no matter what age, and I blame it on Batman.  Batman was just a man with tights and a cape, but he always got the bad guys!  There is not a boy who did not want to be Batman.  This has affected the average American male’s ability to socialize.

For example:
My wife and I were sitting in our living room trying to decide on baby names.  After she had run down her list of girl names she asked me what I thought of the names she had mentioned.  I looked back at her in a panic.  I could not recall even one of the names she had listed.  I quickly apologized and explained that I was only protecting her.  You see, as she was talking, I was postulating what I might do in the event of two armed robbers storming into our apartment.  ‘Duck and roll toward the open door.  Kick the door closed, knocking the precariously placed gun out of the one robber’s hand.  Now they’re trapped!  Dodging the bullets, I dive into the kitchen and arm myself with my favorite wok and a small frying pan…’  This is how far I got in my plan before I came back to reality.

This is common for most guys that I speak with.  The thing that separates my reverie with the daydreams of most guys is that mine tend to come to me in rap form.  It’s true!  I take down bad guys while laying down fresh beats.

All this to say – during the heavy rains along the coast over this past month or so, I found my mind wandering off into a near-comatose state of heroic philanthropy.  I thought I’d give you a snap-shot of what that looks like and maybe even a small dose of facts about how the Red Cross responds to a disaster.

In order to do this justice you’ve got to imagine this tale being told over the backdrop of a fresh beat (and I don’t mean the kind your mama serves at dinner).

Chillin’ in the office with my Swingline staple-gun.
Pushing forms is the norm at this French Pine table, son.
Finding time to recline is a rare occasion,
When you’re working t’ward the goal of disaster evasion.  (UH!)

 

A voice calls from behind, “Kris, we gotta jet.”
“Heavy rains are causing flooding and the hillside’s wet.”
Push the pedal to the floor, hear the engine roar,
As we hit the 101 headed for the shore.  (WHAT!)

Pulled up to the coast where the mud is sliding,
While under our feet tectonic plates are colliding.
“Gotta open up a shelter, there’s no time to waste,
We’ve got families to serve who have been displaced.”  (OH!)

Holla atcha boy as you walk through the door.
You know you’re in good hands with AmeriCorps.
We’re serving up some meals that are hot and ready,
There aint a kid in the house who won’t be getting a teddy.  (YEA!)

 

“Thank you!”  They cry, as they drive off yonder.
“Well that’s just what we do as disaster responders.”
But the hero of the day, I think we’d all agree,
Are the loyal supporters of the A.R.C.!

Safe Kids Day: Susie

“Hey Susie, I don’t think we’re going to be able to make it to the Safe Kids Day today. We don’t have a ride, sorry.” “Hey Susie, I know we signed up to help at the Safe Kids Day but our club members are tied up with band practice and no one will be able to make it, sorry.” “Yeah, Susie, I was going to be able to make it, but my daughter has a swimming competition in Malibu and I have to take her. Sorry!”

These are the text messages or conversations I had from Red Cross Youth Club members and a Youth Services Advisor yesterday as I was preparing for this huge youth safety event at the Camarillo Boys & Girls Club. As I’ve said before, it’s our job at the Red Cross to be flexible… but come on! I was a little worried that not enough youth members would make it and then… No, it wasn’t even an option to think about that.

So, I did what any Corps member would do, grovel at the feet of my fellow Corps members and ask them to come and support me. It wasn’t an easy thing to do, given my independent and stubborn personality that likes to do everything herself without help. However, I needed to get over myself for a moment and just do it. Thankfully Kris Mannale, an Emergency Services Corps member, was able to make it. Phew!!! That in itself was enough to calm nerves, at least for the moment.

As I was setting up for the event, putting up Red Cross signage and setting up the safety stations, I am getting text message after text message from youth members explaining why they cannot make or, even more surprisingly, that they were never planning on coming. Still, I kept calm, took a deep breath and told myself “It’ll all work out, it always does.” Then I get a call from Kris Mannale, and before he was able to tell me why he was calling I was holding my breath in fear he was bailing too and hoping I didn’t throw up on the Boys & Girls Club gym floor. He just needed directions! Thank goodness! Ten minutes later, people start showing up and it takes everything I have not to tackle them with excitement.

Red Cross youth volunteers teaching at the Choking Prevention station.

So we conducted a fantastic event and had not only enough youth to run it but twice asmany as usual! There are no words for how proud I am of these youth volunteers and their dedication and hard work, but I did show my appreciation in the form of homemade brownies and cookies- I’m pretty sure they got my message of thanks.