Red Cross Aid Reaches Haitian Earthquake Survivors
American Red Cross President & CEO Gail McGovern to travel to Port-au-Prince Monday
National Headquarters
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www.redcross.org
Contact: Public Affairs Desk
FOR MEDIA ONLY
media@usa.redcross.org
Phone: (202) 303-5551
WASHINGTON, Saturday, January 16, 2010 —
Truckloads of Red Cross supplies arrived in Port-au-Prince today and thousands of responders are traveling the streets providing water and first aid as well as finding lost loved ones and transporting people with serious injuries to nearby health facilities.
“America’s support – donations made in the United States to the American Red Cross – is reaching the hands of survivors in Haiti,” said Steve McAndrew, disaster relief specialist with the American Red Cross in Port-au-Prince.
Within the convoy that arrived today are 50-bed field hospitals and purification equipment capable of producing 10,000 gallons of drinking water per day. The mobile hospitals have a dedicated section to help people cope with emotional trauma. Toys and specially-trained volunteers will be available to comfort children, who are particularly vulnerable.
An additional seven truckloads of equipment and materials including medical supplies, that were on Red Cross planes re-routed to Dominican Republic Friday, are traveling overland and are expected to arrive in Port-au-Prince by Sunday. Two flights will arrive in the capital city, carrying enough relief supplies for more than 32,000 families, on Monday as well.
The American Red Cross team and responders from more than 30 countries, totaling more than 100, have now arrived and are providing a wide-range of support, including food, water, field hospitals, emotional support and sanitation services.
“We are working with the Haitian Red Cross volunteers, who have intimate knowledge of the community,” said McAndrew. “Survivors are receiving aid from their neighbors, who they know and trust, with support from the international community.”
How to Help
* We are not accepting volunteers to travel to Haiti. If you would like to volunteer for the American Red Cross, please contact your local chapter.
* Persons in Haiti and abroad can search for and register the names of relatives missing since the earthquake at www.icrc.org/familylinks. The International Committee of the Red Cross is helping to reconnect separated families within the country.
* People trying to locate U.S. citizens living or traveling in Haiti should contact the U.S. Department of State, Office of Overseas Citizens Services, at 1-888-407-4747 or (202) 647-5225.
On Monday, American Red Cross President & CEO Gail McGovern will travel to Port-au-Prince to join other Red Cross leaders in assessing the relief efforts and planning for long-term recovery.
“Our focus now is on the immediate relief for the people of Haiti, but make no mistake, this is going to be a massive long-term recovery operation,” McGovern said.
Since the earthquake struck, more than 19,300 people have registered with the International Committee of the Red Cross-sponsored Web site (www.icrc.org/familylinks) helping to reconnect families separated during the earthquake. Almost all of the registrations were from people searching for news about their relatives, although around 1,400 people have so far used the site to say they are safe and well.
You can help the victims of countless crises, like the recent earthquake in Haiti, around the world each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross International Response Fund, which will provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster, please do so at the time of your donation by mailing your donation with the designation to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013 or to your local American Red Cross chapter. Donations to the International Response Fund can be made by phone at 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish) or online at www.redcross.org
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.
UPDATE-American Red Cross Releases $10 Million to Help Haiti*
WASHINGTON, Friday, January 15, 2010 —
With estimates that as many as three million people may be affected by the catastrophic earthquake which hit Haiti Tuesday, the American Red Cross is releasing an additional $9 million for earthquake relief, bringing its total commitment so far to $10 million to support relief efforts in Haiti.
Priority needs in Haiti are food, water, temporary shelter, medical services and emotional support. Thousands of local Red Cross volunteers are aiding their fellow Haitians. American Red Cross Disaster management specialists are scheduled to arrive today from the United States, Peru and Mexico to join local Red Cross staff already on the ground in the disaster zone. As soon as airports begin accepting relief shipments, tarps, hygiene items and cooking sets for approximately 5,000 families will come from the Red Cross warehouse in Panama.
The American Red Cross is also helping the injured who may need blood. More than 100 units of blood and blood products were shipped to the U.S. Naval Air Station in Jacksonville, Florida, and then on to Guantanamo Bay in support of medical evacuees from Haiti.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has a plane full of mostly medical items on the way to Haiti from Geneva. ICRC staff, including engineers, a surgeon and family linking specialists are expected to arrive in Port-au-Prince this morning. Other Red Cross partners have deployed a mobile hospital, medical teams, and 40 staff to help with sheltering, providing water, sanitation, and telecommunications.
ICRC is helping reconnect separated families in Haiti through a special web site which enables people in Haiti and outside the country to search for and register the names of relatives missing since the earthquake. In the first twenty-four hours, more than 6,000 people have been registered.
How to Help
* We are not accepting volunteers to travel to Haiti. If you would like to volunteer for the American Red Cross, please contact your local chapter.
* For inquiries about relatives living and who have citizenship in Haiti, please be patient and call repeatedly until the lines clear or contact other family members who live nearby. Telephone, Internet and other communication lines are often disrupted in times of disaster.
* People trying to locate U.S. citizens living or traveling in Haiti should contact the U.S. Department of State, Office of Overseas Citizens Services, at 1-888-407-4747 or (202) 647-5225.
Countless requests have come from people wanting to help. The best way to do that is to make a donation to the American Red Cross International Response Fund at redcross.org or by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS. Donors can designate their gifts to Haiti relief. Donations to the International Response Fund allows the American Red Cross to respond to global emergencies and disasters.
In addition, several hundred thousand people have chosen to make a mobile donation. Donors can text "Haiti" to 90999 on their cell phone to send a $10 donation to support Red Cross relief efforts in Haiti. The mobile giving effort raised more than $3 million by Thursday morning, and all money raised goes to support Red Cross relief efforts in Haiti.
You can help the victims of countless crises, like the recent earthquake in Haiti, around the world each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross International Response Fund, which will provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster, please do so at the time of your donation by mailing your donation with the designation to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013 or to your local American Red Cross chapter. Donations to the International Response Fund can be made by phone at 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish) or online at www.redcross.org
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.
American Red Cross Pledges Initial $1 Million to Haiti Relief
WASHINGTON, Wednesday, January 13, 2010 —
The American Red Cross is sending money, supplies and staff to Haiti to support relief efforts there after yesterday’s earthquake, which caused catastrophic damage and loss of life.
According to reports, as many as three million people may have been affected by the quake, which collapsed government buildings and caused major damage to hospitals in the area.
The Red Cross is contributing an initial $1 million from the International Response Fund to support the relief operation, and has opened its warehouse in Panama to provide tarps, mosquito nets and cooking sets for approximately 5,000 families.
In addition to Red Cross staff already in Haiti, six disaster management specialists are being deployed to the disaster zone to help coordinate relief efforts. At this time, the American Red Cross is only deploying volunteers specially trained to manage international emergency operations.
There has been an outpouring of support from the public. To help, people can make an unrestricted donation to the International Response Fund at www.redcross.org or by calling 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767). The public can also help by texting “Haiti” to 90999 to send a $10 donation to the Red Cross, through an effort backed by the U.S. State Department. Funds will go to support American Red Cross relief efforts in Haiti.
Debris and collapsed bridges are making access to many areas extremely difficult. Telephone service and electricity are out in many places. Haitian Red Cross staff worked throughout the night to rescue people still trapped in their homes and provide first aid. The priority remains to provide food, water, temporary shelter, medical services and emotional support.
The American Red Cross already had fifteen staff in Haiti providing ongoing HIV/AIDS prevention and disaster preparedness programs. All are reported to be safe and responding to the disaster.
To date, there have been no requests for blood products from the government of Haiti. However, some patients at an affected facility in Haiti have been moved to a Guantanamo Bay hospital, and the Armed Services Blood Program has asked both the Red Cross and Florida Blood Services for support for those patients. In addition, the American Red Cross will be sending a shipment of blood products to the United Nations Mission in Haiti.
While communication with those in Haiti is still difficult, people should contact the U.S. Department of State, Office of Overseas Citizens Services at 1-888-407-4747 if trying to reach a U.S. citizen living or traveling in Haiti. If trying to reach a Haitian citizen, callers should continue to call or contact other family members who live nearby.
While donations are coming in for Haiti relief, the initial American Red Cross response is made possible in part by contributions from members of the Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Program (ADGP). The following partners designate a portion of their ADGP commitment to the International Response Fund: American Express, John Deere Foundation, Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Morgan Stanley and State Street Foundation.
How to Help
We are not accepting volunteers to travel to Haiti. If you would like to volunteer for the American Red Cross, please contact your local chapter.
For inquiries about relatives living and who have citizenship in Haiti, please be patient and call repeatedly until the lines clear or contact other family members who live nearby. Telephone, Internet and other communication lines are often disrupted in times of disaster.
People trying to locate U.S. citizens living or traveling in Haiti should contact the U.S. Department of State, Office of Overseas Citizens Services, at 1-888-407-4747 or (202) 647-5225.
Photo: Matthew Marek, American Red Cross
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.
American Red Cross releases $200,000 in aid to help communities affected by earthquake in Haiti
Tuesday, January 12, 2010 —
The American Red Cross has pledged an initial $200,000 to assist communities impacted by today’s earthquake in Haiti, and is prepared to take further action as local responders assess the situation.
“Initial reports indicate widespread damage in Port au Prince, with continuing aftershocks,” says Tracy Reines, director of international disaster response for the American Red Cross. “As with most earthquakes, we expect to see immediate needs for food, water, temporary shelter, medical services and emotional support.”
The American Red Cross has made available all of the relief supplies from its warehouse in Panama which would provide for basic needs for approximately 5,000 families. In addition, it is deploying a disaster management specialist to Haiti, and has additional disaster specialists on standby if needed.
The American Red Cross has an extensive partnership with the Haitian Red Cross, which is expected to lead the Red Cross response to the earthquake.
The American Red Cross has staff on the ground in Haiti who provide ongoing HIV/AIDS prevention and disaster preparedness programs. At this time, all the three American Red Cross staff in Haiti have all been reported safe.
The Haitian Red Cross was founded in 1932 and is one of the primary organizations in the country responding to disasters. Although earthquakes are less common, Haiti is frequently impacted by hurricanes including those in 2008, and the Haiti Red Cross has developed experience in disaster response due those disasters.
For more information and to schedule interviews, please contact Mat Morgan: morganmat@usa.redcross.org or 202-262-9148.
How to Help
We are not accepting volunteers to travel to Haiti. If you would like to volunteer for the American Red Cross, please contact your local chapter. For inquiries about relatives living and who have citizenship in Haiti, please be patient and call repeatedly until the lines clear or contact other family members who live nearby. Telephone, Internet and other communication lines are often disrupted in times of disaster. People trying to locate U.S. citizens living or traveling in Haiti should contact the U.S. Department of State, Office of Overseas Citizens Services, at 1-888-407-4747 or 202-647-5225.
You can help the victims of countless crises around the world each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross International Response Fund, which will provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need. Donations to the International Response Fund can be sent to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013 or made by phone at 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish) or online at www.redcross.org.
NATIONAL RELEASE-American Red Cross releases $200,000 in aid to help communities affected by earthquake in Haiti
Tuesday, January 12, 2010 —
The American Red Cross has pledged an initial $200,000 to assist communities impacted by today’s earthquake in Haiti, and is prepared to take further action as local responders assess the situation.
“Initial reports indicate widespread damage in Port au Prince, with continuing aftershocks,” says Tracy Reines, director of international disaster response for the American Red Cross. “As with most earthquakes, we expect to see immediate needs for food, water, temporary shelter, medical services and emotional support.”
The American Red Cross has made available all of the relief supplies from its warehouse in Panama which would provide for basic needs for approximately 5,000 families. In addition, it is deploying a disaster management specialist to Haiti, and has additional disaster specialists on standby if needed.
The American Red Cross has an extensive partnership with the Haitian Red Cross, which is expected to lead the Red Cross response to the earthquake.
The American Red Cross has staff on the ground in Haiti who provide ongoing HIV/AIDS prevention and disaster preparedness programs. At this time, all the three American Red Cross staff in Haiti have all been reported safe.
The Haitian Red Cross was founded in 1932 and is one of the primary organizations in the country responding to disasters. Although earthquakes are less common, Haiti is frequently impacted by hurricanes including those in 2008, and the Haiti Red Cross has developed experience in disaster response due those disasters.
For more information and to schedule interviews, please contact Mat Morgan: morganmat@usa.redcross.org or 202-262-9148.
How to Help
We are not accepting volunteers to travel to Haiti. If you would like to volunteer for the American Red Cross, please contact your local chapter. For inquiries about relatives living and who have citizenship in Haiti, please be patient and call repeatedly until the lines clear or contact other family members who live nearby. Telephone, Internet and other communication lines are often disrupted in times of disaster. People trying to locate U.S. citizens living or traveling in Haiti should contact the U.S. Department of State, Office of Overseas Citizens Services, at 1-888-407-4747 or 202-647-5225.
You can help the victims of countless crises around the world each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross International Response Fund, which will provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need. Donations to the International Response Fund can be sent to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013 or made by phone at 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish) or online at www.redcross.org.
American Red Cross Offering Giveaways for those Making Donations to their Comfort Days Campaign on Saturday
MEDIA ADVISORY Contact: Andrea Tomaszewski
January 8, 2010 313-350-1434
American Red Cross Offering Giveaways for those Making Donations to their Comfort Days Campaign on Saturday
What:
The Southeastern Michigan Chapter of the Red Cross is heading into the final days of its Comfort Days campaign, and is urging residents to come out and support the campaign at its downtown Birmingham location on Saturday. There, Red Crossers and folks from 106.7 the Beat of Detroit will be on hand offering freebies such as tickets to marquee events to those who come out and make a donation in any amount.
The Comfort Days campaign supports local Disaster Services. While travel-sized toiletries are still being collected for the campaign, financial donations are especially appreciated during the final stretch.
When:
Saturday, January 9, from noon to 4 p.m. Radio station 106.7 the Beat of Detroit will be there from noon to 2 p.m.
Where:
The Comfort Days headquarters, 141 W. Maple, downtown Birmingham.
Why:
The Southeastern Michigan Chapter of the Red Cross has seen an increase in the need for its Disaster Services, providing relief to families following an emergency such as a home or apartment fire. Now more than ever, the Southeastern Michigan Chapter of the Red Cross needs the public’s support.
Who:
Besides 106.7 the Beat of Detroit, other partners in the Comfort Days campaign are Fox 2, Barton Malow and WWJ-950 AM.
About the American Red Cross, Southeastern Michigan Chapter
The American Red Cross, Southeastern Michigan Chapter is a non-profit humanitarian organization that turns caring into action by providing three core services for residents in the tri-county area: relief to disaster victims, support to military personnel (both active and veteran) and their families, and the knowledge and skills to help the community prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. We are volunteer-driven and reflect the diversity of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. As part of the international Red Cross network, we are dedicated to protecting human life and dignity locally, nationally and worldwide.
To learn more, log on to www.semredcross.org or follow our blog at www.semtourofduty.org.
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Read More*Comfort Days Campaign to Support Local Red Cross Emergency Services
(Detroit) - The American Red Cross, Southeastern Michigan Chapter’s Comfort Days campaign kicked off today to support the chapter’s local Emergency Services efforts. The Southeastern Michigan Chapter is seeking financial donations and trial-sized toiletry items to provide comfort and support to victims of home and apartment fires, as well as members of the military.
The comfort kit items are needed because the Southeastern Michigan Chapter responds to an average of five local home fires a day, providing emergency food, clothing, shelter and toiletry items to the families whose lives have been so disrupted. The Chapter also provides immediate support and assistance to Michigan military personnel, veterans and their families.
Organizations such as businesses, places of worship and schools can organize comfort kit drives. People can register their organization by going online at www.semredcross.org/comfort-days and filling out the form. The organization will then receive a kit that will have all the materials needed to hold a Comfort Days campaign. People can also call 313-833-2664 for more information.
Comfort Kit items being collected are trial-sized shampoo, soap, lotion, washcloth, tissue, toothpaste, toothbrush, a pair of white socks, deodorant, razor and shaving cream.
Individuals are also invited to participate by going to the website link and donating money, or collecting trial-sized toiletries of their own and from family and friends. The Red Cross campaign runs through January 16.
The Comfort Days kick-off event was held at Barton Malow, where the staff kicked off their own in-house campaign by donating toiletry items and cash. The campaign is being sponsored by Barton Malow, Fox 2 News, 106.7 the Beat of Detroit, and WWJ-950 AM.
After the Comfort Days program ends, the Red Cross will contact participating organizations to set up their pick-up time, which will be the week of January 18-22. Those individuals donating their own items can call the Southeastern Michigan Chapter at 313-833-2649 to schedule a drop-off time.
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About the American Red Cross, Southeastern Michigan Chapter
The American Red Cross, Southeastern Michigan Chapter, is a non-profit humanitarian organization that turns caring into action by providing three core services for residents in southeast Michigan: relief to disaster victims, emergency aid to active and retired military personnel and their families, and the knowledge and skills to prevent, prepare for and respond to emergency situations. We are volunteer-driven and reflect the diversity of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. To learn more, log on to www.semredcross.org or follow our blog at www.semtourofduty.org.
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Read MoreComfort Days Campaign to Support Local Red Cross Emergency Services
(Detroit) - The American Red Cross, Southeastern Michigan Chapter’s Comfort Days campaign kicked off today to support the chapter’s local Emergency Services efforts. The Southeastern Michigan Chapter is seeking financial donations and trial-sized toiletry items to provide comfort and support to victims of home and apartment fires, as well as members of the military.
The comfort kit items are needed because the Southeastern Michigan Chapter responds to an average of five local home fires a day, providing emergency food, clothing, shelter and toiletry items to the families whose lives have been so disrupted. The Chapter also provides immediate support and assistance to Michigan military personnel, veterans and their families.
Organizations such as businesses, places of worship and schools can organize comfort kit drives. People can register their organization by going online at www.semredcross.org/comfort-days and filling out the form. The organization will then receive a kit that will have all the materials needed to hold a Comfort Days campaign. People can also call 313-833-2664 for more information.
Comfort Kit items being collected are trial-sized shampoo, soap, lotion, washcloth, tissue, toothpaste, toothbrush, a pair of white socks, deodorant, razor and shaving cream.
Individuals are also invited to participate by going to the website link and donating money, or collecting trial-sized toiletries of their own and from family and friends. The Red Cross campaign runs through January 16.
The Comfort Days kick-off event was held at Barton Malow, where the staff kicked off their own in-house campaign by donating toiletry items and cash. The campaign is being sponsored by Barton Malow, Fox 2 News, 106.7 the Beat of Detroit, and WWJ-950 AM.
After the Comfort Days program ends, the Red Cross will contact participating organizations to set up their pick-up time, which will be the week of January 18-22. Those individuals donating their own items can call the Southeastern Michigan Chapter at 313-833-2649 to schedule a drop-off time.
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About the American Red Cross, Southeastern Michigan Chapter
The American Red Cross, Southeastern Michigan Chapter, is a non-profit humanitarian organization that turns caring into action by providing three core services for residents in southeast Michigan: relief to disaster victims, emergency aid to active and retired military personnel and their families, and the knowledge and skills to prevent, prepare for and respond to emergency situations. We are volunteer-driven and reflect the diversity of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. To learn more, log on to www.semredcross.org or follow our blog at www.semtourofduty.org.
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Read MoreSoutheastern Michigan Chapter of the American Red Cross Honors Vets and Military Families on Veterans Day
Contact Andrea Tomaszewski
248-224-5606
Southeastern Michigan Chapter of the American Red Cross Honors Vets and Military Families on Veterans Day
(DETROIT, November 11, 2009) – Today the Southeastern Michigan Chapter of the American Red Cross salutes all veterans who have courageously served their country.
“Veterans have made great sacrifices for us, and that’s why one of our most important services at the Red Cross is to support and assist veterans,” said James Laverty, CEO of the American Red Cross, Southeastern Michigan Chapter.
Last Saturday, in a show of support to area veterans, the Southeastern Michigan Chapter participated in the Veterans Day parade in Detroit. In the coming weeks, 400 comfort kits containing personal hygiene items and warm socks will be provided to area veterans and active-duty military personnel, in a partnership with the Michigan Masons. Two hundred and fifty of the comfort kits will be given to veterans at the John D. Dingell VA Medical Center in Detroit, and 150 kits will be given to military personnel at Selfridge Air National Guard Base.
The Southeastern Michigan Chapter also assists veterans, their widows and dependents with processing claims for VA benefits. “Many times, they don’t have access to a printer, so we help them fill out the forms and send them in,” Laverty said.
The local Red Cross chapter also partners with local VA agencies, such as participating in the 2009 Stand Down for homeless veterans in October, where the Southeastern Michigan Chapter handed out comfort kits, socks and blankets. “The veterans were so grateful for them,” Laverty said.
As state lead for Red Cross military services in Michigan, the Southeastern Michigan Chapter coordinates workshops throughout the state, which are aimed at helping military personnel and their families cope with the stresses of deployment, as well returning home to civilian life.
For more information about Red Cross services to the military in Michigan, or how to get involved and help, call 313-833-8816, or log onto www.semredcross.org.
About the American Red Cross, Southeastern Michigan Chapter
The American Red Cross, Southeastern Michigan Chapter, is a non-profit humanitarian organization that turns caring into action by providing three core services for residents in southeast Michigan: relief to disaster victims, emergency aid to active and retired military personnel and their families, and the knowledge and skills to prevent, prepare for and respond to emergency situations. We are volunteer-driven and reflect the diversity of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. To learn more, log on to www.semredcross.org or follow our blog at www.semtourofduty.org.
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Seven High School Seniors Receive Nurse Assistant Training through Partnership of Local Organizations
(DETROIT) - Seven Detroit high school seniors will receive their certificate on Friday for completing the American Red Cross Nurse Assistant Training (NAT) program, through a pilot program just completed at David Trombly High School.
Bringing the NAT program to the alternative Detroit high school was a partnership between The Holley Foundation, Jefferson Avenue Presbyterian Church, the American Red Cross, Southeastern Michigan Chapter and David Trombly High School.
“Because of the challenges these students face, we’ve all put a lot of effort and time into their training, to ensure their success,” said BJ White, Health Care Program Coordinator for the Southeastern Michigan Chapter of the Red Cross.
The tuition for the Red Cross program was covered by The Holley Foundation. Yet the foundation is quick to point out that it partnered closely with the other organizations. Jefferson Avenue Presbyterian Church provided uniforms for the students, all young women, to wear on their jobs. The church also supplied equipment to the schools, a necessary component for off-site Red Cross NAT training.
David Trombly invited the Red Cross to teach the course, and the Southeastern Michigan Chapter went above and beyond, also. Anika Bailey, RN, NAT Program Manager, who taught the students, brought the students breakfast each day so that they could be mentally alert for the training. “They told me I didn’t need to bring it, but I told them they needed their nourishment because the training lasted six hours each day,” Bailey said. The high school NAT course was an accelerated one taught over a few weeks.
Further, the Red Cross and the church are helping the students to successfully complete the state exam by covering the cost of the state exam prep training. Further, the organizations are helping the seven young women with getting a job after graduation in June, White said.
“They are all so proud to have completed this course. And they know it will help prepare them to be successful,” White added.
Upon successful completion of the state exam, the young women will be able to work in the high-growth medical field in a hospital or extended care facility. Nurse assistants help with basic patient care skills such as taking vital signs, and also assist patients with daily tasks such as eating and bathing.
But for now, students, school administrators, family members and members of the partnering organizations will all be attending the certificate ceremony at Jefferson Avenue Presbyterian Church in Detroit on Friday. Even members of the Holley family are flying in from around the country to attend. The school is hoping they will be joined by Robert Bobb, Detroit Public School’s emergency financial manager, and the district superintendant, who were also invited to attend.
About the American Red Cross, Southeastern Michigan Chapter
The American Red Cross, Southeastern Michigan Chapter, is a non-profit humanitarian organization that turns caring into action by providing three core services for residents in southeast Michigan: relief to disaster victims, emergency aid to active and retired military personnel and their families, and the knowledge and skills to prevent, prepare for and respond to emergency situations. We are volunteer-driven and reflect the diversity of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. To learn more, log on to www.semredcross.org or follow our blog at www.semtourofduty.org.
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