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 In 2004, the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter adopted a strategic plan to help guide its community outreach. One key component of this plan is to “inspire a new generation of Red Cross volunteers and supporters.”
During a KJFF radio interview on March 10, Deane Adam, director of AmeriCorps and Youth Services for the St. Louis Area Chapter, was joined by Alexa Pippin, a Red Cross AmeriCorps member and Jefferson County resident, to discuss the importance of youth to the Red Cross movement.
Each year, the president of the United Sates signs a proclamation declaring March as American Red Cross Month, a special time set aside to focus on the mission of the Red Cross. Youth are the future of Red Cross humanitarian outreach and serve in an important capacity to help our communities prevent, prepare for and respond to disasters and emergencies.
Through Red Cross YouthCorps, young people have an opportunity to engage in community service while receiving leadership training in peer-to-peer education. Participation in YouthCorps activities provides important real-world experience for a resume or college application.
Students engage in public speaking, facilitation of group discussion and event planning. While meeting new people and having fun, YouthCorps members are also making important contributions to keeping their peers safe through the education and training they provide. In fact, YouthCorps members reached more than 2,600 of their peers last year with potentially lifesaving information.
YouthCorps groups are formed in area schools with the support of a school sponsor and are composed of students in grades eight through 12. Active members of YouthCorps are eligible for free training in CPR and first aid. A student’s interests are key to determining the area of Red Cross service. Options range from community service projects, disaster preparedness and CPR/First Aid certification to HIV/AIDS education and anti-bullying programs.
Leadership training is the focus of a Youth Development Camp each year at Trout Lodge. Other leadership opportunities are offered through the Youth Advisory Council, which plans activities for YouthCorps members. Members of the advisory council also provide insight on what is important to middle and high school students. Two YouthCorps members presently serve on the Board of Directors for the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter.
The St. Louis Area Chapter also sponsors an AmeriCorps program. Members are at least 18 years old and are actively involved in educational presentations throughout the metropolitan area. This curriculum features disaster preparedness, Red Cross international services and HIV/AIDS education. Last year, the local Red Cross AmeriCorps group reached more than 48,600 people of all ages.
For children, AmeriCorps members focus on topics that include the importance of nutrition, hand washing and bike safety. AmeriCorps members are also active in leading local YouthCorps groups and coordinating community service projects.
For more information about American Red Cross youth services, please call Deane Adam at 314.516.2717 or log on to www.redcrossstl.org.
The next Red Cross interview will air live on KJFF at 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 14.
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