• 23 Sept 2024
  • Volunteering
  • Volunteers

Strengthening Disaster Preparedness Efforts with the American Red Cross

Person wearing a red and white American Red Cross Disaster Relief vest with back to camera walks up a sidewalk toward a raized building. Yellow caution tape surrounds the debris area to the right of two houses.

"When these volunteers are working, they aren't just offering immediate help; they are part of a team and a community that provides support during some of the hardest moments in a person's life," says Latoysa "Toy" Rooks, Regional Disaster Officer with the American Red Cross. 

A person in a American Red Cross vest holding a sign with a red cross above a black arrow with white letters SHELTER, in front of an ARC Disaster Relief trailer with an open door. Facing the person is a second person with a lanyard and badge dressed in jeans and a T-shirt.

She has spent her career responding to disasters and supporting those in need. On one occasion in Georgia, Toy met a 96-year-old woman who had just lost her home – and all her belongings – to a fire. The woman escaped with only her wallet, but soon realized she had left her credit cards and essential items behind. Understanding the gravity of the situation, Toy and her team quickly provided financial assistance, helping the woman regain stability in a moment of profound loss.

 

At Ford Philanthropy, we believe that disaster preparedness is not just a necessity but a key part of how we help communities build resilience. As we observe National Preparedness Month in September, we are committed to ensuring that when disasters strike, communities are not only able to recover but are better prepared for the challenges ahead. Toy and the volunteers she leads at the American Red Cross ensure that help is always available when disaster strikes.

A person in a red and white American Red Cross vest kneels down in front of a couple of small, black, wire crates and extends his hand toward the calico kitten inside the right side crate. Litter boxes are in both crates and an ARC blanket covers the top of both crates with a couple of treat packages laying on the blanket.

Delivering Support During Crisis

 

Beyond immediate response, the Red Cross is invested in helping communities prepare for challenges they may face in the future. The Community Adaptation Program plays a pivotal role in this effort. By partnering with local organizations, this program helps deploy vital resources, such as mobile health units, ensuring that even in the aftermath of a disaster, communities can access essential healthcare services. "Ninety percent of our workforce is volunteers," Toy explains. Beyond disaster relief, the Red Cross also supports fire safety through disaster preparedness initiatives like its Sound the Alarm program. This program installs free smoke alarms in homes across Michigan, helping to save lives by increasing preparedness.

 

By working together, Ford Philanthropy and the American Red Cross are making a lasting impact through disaster preparedness efforts. If you're interested in learning more about how you can help families and support both initiatives, please visit the Red Cross volunteer page here.