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Disaster
Services -
Provides help 24 hours a day to individuals and families who have
disaster-caused needs. This is a service in which Red Cross volunteers
and staff respond to disasters ranging from a family home fire to
larger disasters, such as tornadoes and floods. Assistance is provided
by completing a purchase order to the merchant of the disaster victim’s
choice for items such as food, rent, and basic household furnishings.
In 2001, $144,699 provided 167 households that suffered fires with
basic emergency needs. Red Cross also trains disaster volunteers
who then become part of the local, state, and national preparedness
and response network. Community disaster educational materials and
speakers are also provided throughout the area. All Red Cross
disaster assistance is free.
Family Support Services - which includes the
- Armed Forces Emergency Services - the American Red Cross
is Congressionally mandated to provide emergency communications
to military personnel and their families 24 hours a day.
- Civilian Financial Assistance - Individuals experiencing
an unexpected, verifiable financial situation that leaves them unable
to pay their rent/utilities are eligible to apply for financial
assistance. A Red Cross caseworker verifies the need and eligibility
for each. Finding community resources for other individual
and family needs is a service provided routinely for several thousand
more individuals and families throughout the year.
- International Services - The American Red Cross helps families
locate and contact loved ones around the world, provides relief
to areas of war and disaster worldwide, and provides tracing services
for victims of war and the Holocaust.
- Language
Bank - The Red Cross serves as a foreign language translation
service during emergency situations.
- Victims
of Crime - The Red Cross provides financial assistance for basic
household needs to those over age 60 or those with severe disabilities
who have been victims of a crime during which some or all of their
income was stolen.
Braille
Services - Volunteers transcribe more than 12,000 pages of Braille
each year using Red Cross equipment. These voluntary efforts are
primarily in the area of textbooks for students from kindergarten
to the graduate level.
Health and Safety Services - Provides safety outreach, information,
education, and training to enable people to promote, achieve, and
sustain healthier, safer lives, and prepare for and respond effectively
to emergencies. Health & Safety training programs include: First
Aid, CPR, swimming, lifeguarding, HIV/AIDS education, babysitting,
canoeing, sailing, kayaking, bloodborne pathogens, and continuing
education for health professionals. Additional direct services include
HIV/AIDS program referrals, First Aid, and water safety rescue standby
and health and safety expo participation. *A nominal materials fee is charged
for some courses offered by Red Cross. Most fees can be eliminated
for individuals with limited incomes.
Volunteer
Services - Recruits, coordinates, and recognizes volunteers
who provide clerical assistance, work on disaster assignments, instruct
First Aid, CPR, HIV/AIDS and water safety classes, drive the elderly
to senior dining centers and medical appointments, and conduct interviews
as social services caseworkers.
Youth Services
- Works to help young people learn and practice the humanitarian
values of caring, sharing, and serving through service-oriented
clubs within the community. The Youth Services office provides structure,
project suggestions, guidance, course materials, specialized classes,
and year-end recognition materials.
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