SEM Red Cross Youth

Check out these great videos posted on redcrossyouth.org. Very helpful information for anyone in a Red Cross Club!!

eKnowledge is again offering Red Cross staff, volunteers and clients the SAT and ACT PowerPrep program which comes in a single DVD and includes 11 hours of video instruction, supplemental test prep material, sample questions, and practice tests. To order your donated DVD go to www.eKnowledge.com/RedCross or call (951) 256-4076. Please note there is a nominal charge of $17.55 per standard program for the cost of materials, processing, distribution and customer service. eKnowledge does not profit from this donation program.

Youth Services at the American Red Cross, Southeastern Michigan Regional Chapter is extremely lucky to have two bright, enthusiastic interns joining the team for the 2011-2012 school year. Here’s an introduction to Lynne May, our intern from the University of Michigan:

Hello! My name is Lynne May, and I just began the Master of Social Work program at the University of Michigan. I am a Michigan native and attended the University of Michigan for my undergraduate degree, too (Go Blue!).

There are two reasons why I’m going to be a social worker. First, when I was in college, I wondered things like: What makes a society tick? Why does anyone think and act as they do? How do environmental and political factors affect people’s lives? What do people need in-order to thrive in every day life and are they getting what they need? And how can those needs be met by me and society as a whole? These questions became really important to me. And I want to see them answered and for those answers to matter, to affect lives.

This year, I am choosing to work as an intern with is the American Red Cross, and particularly, in Detroit. Why? I love Detroit – it is one of the most awesome places I have ever worked and lived. I really enjoy the city, the people, and the opportunities to serve and learn about the residents and what is important to them. One thing that’s important and affecting residents is the issue of house fires. I was shocked and sobered to learn from the American Red Cross that, next to New York, Detroit has the most house fires on average per day (5-6!). Also, I watched this, and knew that the work I’ll be doing this year, largely consisting of teaching youth in Detroit about fire prevention, would be very timely and relevant.

I love volunteering at the American Red Cross so far. These folks are motivated, have integrity, are creative, and have a driving desire to serve. I’m humbled and grateful to be a part of this team, to serve under their mission.

I look forward to all the adventures of this coming year!

Youth Services at the American Red Cross, Southeastern Michigan Regional Chapter is extremely lucky to have two bright, enthusiastic interns joining the team for the 2011-2012 school year. Here’s an introduction to Lisa-Marie Chin, our intern from Wayne State University:

Hello Southeastern Michigan Red Cross youth bloggers. My name is Lisa-Marie Chin and I am one of the new social work interns at the American Red Cross, Southeastern Michigan Regional Chapter. I am originally from the Jamaica but I grew up in Southfield, Michigan. I received my undergraduate degree in Political Science from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor and I am currently enrolled in the Master of Social Work Program at Wayne State University. The focus of my master’s degree is community practice and social action. I am interested in all things pertaining to social policy and welfare and hope to one day be actively involved in community development and social advocacy in the Detroit area.

I chose to intern at the Red Cross because it is internationally recognized and respected. I am grateful to have this internship opportunity and hope to expand my knowledge on the needs and assets of the various communities in Detroit Area. I am especially excited to work with Julie on the on the Red Cross Ready program that will be presented to elementary schools in the city of Detroit. I think that youth in general provide new and innovative perspectives on issues important to our communities. Using their experiences and perspectives I hope to gain additional skills and knowledge to help facilitate positive change in the city of Detroit.

From www.redcrossyouth.org:

Check out this American Red Cross National Youth Council member’s advice on how to start a Red Cross Club. She has a ton of great tips and ideas!

Ready to be inspired?

Pat Farmer of Australia is running from the North Pole to the South Pole in an effort to raise $100 million for the Red Cross.  Check out this video to learn more about his amazing adventure!! I recommend visiting his Facebook and Twitter as well:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/poletopolerun1?sk=wall

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/poletopolerun

You hear all the time that volunteers make a difference, and that volunteering your time is worthwhile. But how do you measure how much a volunteer is actually worth?

Here at the American Red Cross Southeastern Michigan Regional Chapter we figured it out!

Last year, American Red Cross – Southeastern Michigan Chapter volunteers (including club members!) logged 41,873 hours of service.

According to the Independent Sector, a leadership forum for charities, foundations, and corporate giving programs, the estimated value of an hour of a volunteer’s time is $21.36.

That means that our volunteers are worth $894,407.28!!!!!

So if time is money, then our volunteers are like gold. Being a part of the Red Cross through a school club, events like the upcoming Selfridge Air Show or Arts, Beats, and Eats, or countless other opportunities are great ways to be a part of this incredible organization!

In celebration of International Youth Day we here at the SEM Chapter would just like to say…

THANK YOU RED CROSS YOUTH!!!

From Merriam-Webster:

The American Red Cross could not do what we do without young people and the energy, creativity, and strength that they bring to our organization. Be proud of yourself for being a Red Cross Youth!

The slow onset disaster of a three-year drought in the Horn of Africa has resulted in the driest period in the region since 1950. So far, it has affected the lives of more than 11 million people by leading to crop failure, scarce water sources, low food supplies, livestock deaths, and the migration of residents from the most affected areas.

For more information visit www.semredcross.org

Are you a leader in your High School’s Red Cross Club? Or, do you want to start a Red Cross Club at your school? Do you live in Wayne, Oakland, or Macomb County? We’ve got an event just for you!

Thursday, August 25th from 10am-2pm we will…

• Prepare for the 2011-2012 school year
• Plan club meetings, events, and activities
• Learn what makes a successful Red Cross Club
• Gain leadership skills
• Network with fellow Red Cross Club members from throughout Southeast Michigan

You don’t want to miss this! Lunch is included and you may or may not get some sweet Red Cross swag…
Click here to download the registration form http://bit.ly/rscBa5 – RSVP by August 16th!