WATCH VIDEO – Sometimes… It's Just Being There
Janet
“I’m just happy I didn’t drown.”
Janet was past the point of cleanup kits and casework. Two weeks after surviving flooding at her Bergen County home, she just wanted to talk. That’s what brought her to a multi-agency resource center – the chance to give voice to what she had seen, heard and experienced.
The Red Cross is known for providing food, shelter, emergency financial assistance and supplies in the immediate aftermath – but often, the most important work comes days or weeks after the flood waters have started to recede.
Nearly 3,000 mental health professionals also volunteer with the Red Cross to provide support to clients who feel grief, anger or hopelessness over what they’ve experienced. For those seeking faith-based support, as Janet was, our Disaster Spiritual Care team steps in as well.
In addition to the volunteers trained specifically for disaster mental health, Red Crossers take the time to listen to clients and do everything in their power to meet specific needs.
Serving Those Who’ve Served
Volunteer Mario first met an Air Force veteran at a Red Cross shelter in the days following Ida’s landfall and they developed a friendship based on their shared military history. A few days later, after that veteran left the shelter, Mario met up with him during a feeding mission and made sure he had a warm meal – and access to proper cleaning supplies for the crew of friends getting his home back in order.
John, Ned and Gus
John was so busy cleaning out his ruined first floor, he didn’t bother to change out of his mud-covered protective suit to meet with Red Cross caseworkers at a multi-agency resource center in Lambertville. He brought along his two dogs, Ned and Gus, who had swam to safety through his flooded backyard.
His first smile came when he saw a Red Crosser had carefully cut a water bottle in half to use as a bowl, so the dogs could have a drink; the smile grew larger when that same Red Crosser found a few bites of food for the dogs to enjoy.
Sometimes, the biggest help comes in a language other than English. The Red Cross is grateful for the volunteer interpreters who sit with clients and offer not only translations, but words of comfort in their native tongue.
And sometimes it comes full circle too. After meeting so many dedicated Red Crossers at the multi-agency resource center, Janet says, she was moved to action – at 77 years old.
“Maybe I’ll join you guys someday,” Janet said, “as soon as I get my act together.”
The American Red Cross continues to help people in New Jersey facing the difficult task of picking up the pieces after the devastating flooding caused by the remnants of Hurricane Ida.
Trained Red Cross workers are supporting relief efforts by serving meals, distributing critical relief supplies, helping families plan their next steps and supporting those who are grieving loved ones. Red Cross teams are working closely with local officials to help assess the damage left behind and make recovery plans for the coming days and weeks.
Disasters are upsetting experiences for everyone involved. Children, senior citizens, people with disabilities and people for whom English is not their first language are especially at risk and are likely to need extra care and help. But everyone, even the people that others look up to for guidance and assistance, is entitled to their feelings and deserves support throughout the recovery process.
To reach out for free 24/7 counseling or support, call or text the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990.
HOW YOU CAN HELP To help people affected by Hurricane Ida, visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS, or text the word IDA to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Your gift is a commitment to helping people in need, and every single donation matters. Financial donations enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from this disaster.
VOLUNTEER If you have the time, you can make a significant impact as a Red Cross volunteer. Review our most urgently needed volunteer positions at redcross.org/volunteertoday.
