National Youth Involvement Month is one of the Red Cross National Youth Council’s most exciting and encompassing annual initiatives aiming to celebrate the accomplishments of Red Cross youth and young adult volunteers across the nation. Taking place in November, NYIM has a different theme each year: this year’s theme is “Youth: Heroes in Action.”
As National Youth Involvement Month ends, we wholeheartedly thank the hundreds of youth volunteers in the Los Angeles Region for their commitment to improve safety in their communities and become the next generation of humanitarian leaders. We encourage everyone to explore the Red Cross Mission by engaging youth and young adults through our volunteer services at redcross.org/youth.
By Robert James/American Red Cross
I learned about the American Red Cross two years ago when I was thirteen, on my first trip to see family in India. I was really inspired that people everywhere were connected to each other by their humanitarian service.
When I joined the Red Cross my first experience was a Sound the Alarm smoke alarm installation event. It was incredible! The event made me realize that helping others is important — whether installing fire alarms or delivering food and care following a disaster. In just one afternoon, we had made a real difference by making people’s homes and families safer. That was a completely new experience for me.
As a result, I signed up for more Sound the Alarm events in other communities. I saw how personal contact with children and adults, inside their homes, made them more open to the idea of being prepared for emergencies.
"When I started teaching Hands-Only CPR at READY events, I saw how valuable it was to go out into communities and teach people the importance of being prepared for emergencies. For many, it was the first time they were trained to do CPR."
I saw how much it meant to them to learn something that could save someone’s life. It seemed like each person walked away carrying the Red Cross mission in them.
It’s been very motivating for me to see how humanitarian work affects so many people. It’s even changed how I think about my future. I have always heard public service can have that affect, but I did not really understand what it meant until now. Being with other volunteers who are so kind, and have taught me so much, makes me excited to be part of the Red Cross.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org/la.
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