Neighbors Helping Neighbors Respond to Presidential Inauguration - Where will you be?

"We will need 300 to 500 volunteers, that includes shelter managers, feeding crews, and first aid go teams on the Mall."

So, where will you be for the Presidential Inauguration? Many readers of Neighbors Helping Neighbors will be volunteering with the American Red Cross.



For additional details, view the complete WUSA9 story.

If you are interested in volunteering with an American Red Cross Disaster Action Team (DAT), the next DAT Training begins January 8 at Chapter Headquarters. For additional information or to register for the DAT Camp, visit: http://www.redcrossnca.org/Online/class_registration.php?action=list&classname=DAT+Camp

Red Cross makes a difference in disasters and every day!

As we continue with National Preparedness Month 2008, who thought it would be National Call To Action Month.

Recently the local Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) website featured a Regional Disaster Coordination Center (RDCC) video showing some of the services that were offered during recent storms through the American Red Cross of the National Capital Area.

Take a few minutes to view the Regional Disaster Coordination Center (RDCC) video.

If you are interested in disaster response, training, public awareness, making a difference in people's lives and want to get your hands dirty, then you should take a few minutes and consider volunteering through your local Red Cross Chapter.

From a local fire with residents displaced to a major disaster, the Red Cross is there!

Many chapters offer DAT (Disaster Action Team) Camp training, which covers:

• Fulfilling Our Mission
• EIS Orientation
• Mass Care
• Client Casework
• Shelter Operations
• Shelter Simulation

Consider getting trained, volunteering and responding through an organization where it all started.

American Red Cross

Unlike other organizations that might take months or years before your training is put to use, gain skills through the Red Cross that you can put to use right away!

So what are your children doing this summer? Disaster Preparedness Camp

Your child may be going to summer camp and taking Red Cross swimming lessons.

Did you know, there are some children around the world that are going to Disaster Preparedness Camp? Yes, Disaster Preparedness Camp.

While we have programs in the United States with the Boy and Girl Scouts for specific badges, take look at this program:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ccm8iNFp_A

We could probably agree that training is only good if the participants are able to leverage the skills in real world situations.

With the current economic situation in the United States, NGOs have become more dependent on volunteers and the skills gained through these training programs.

There are programs such as Model United Nations (UN), but it does not appear we have anything to this level, which focus around our youth:

Red Cross Youth Activated
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43psWTl53D0&feature=related

Other countries often look to the United States for best practices, but these are two programs that could have a major impact here.

Additional information can be found at:
http://www.rcyofuplb.org/index.php/Home.html