Peer Review

Impact Opportunities

By: Valerie Thames

General Education Capstone (GU299)

Instructor: Kathleen Petrie

03/08/2016

The American Red Cross has been aiding in the prevention and response to emergencies not only throughout the United States but also on a worldwide stage for well over a century. Clara Barton traveled to Geneva, Switzerland in 1866 and became involved in the European Red Cross during Franco-Prussian War. Upon her return Clara; knew the essential needs of victims of battle and went to the war zone with volunteers of the International Red Cross, but to safeguard herself with the recently accepted international symbol of the Red Cross (the reverse of the Swiss national flag which bears a white cross on a red field). http://www.redcross.org/about-us/history/clara-barton. Prepared with a signed document from the head of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Barton took her appeal to President Rutherford B. Hayes in 1877, but he viewed on the agreement as a possible “entangling alliance” and vetoed it. His replacement, President James Garfield, was understanding and appeared all set to sign it when he was assassinated. Lastly, Garfield’s successor, Chester Arthur, signed the treaty in 1882 and a few days later the Senate approved it.

As it is done within other organizations that come together with the community in making a more positive environment. The founding of the American Red Cross was an improvement serving as a model for developing partnerships concerning greater education foundations and community advancement. This in turn provides relationships among businesses and citizens that work together to make a safer community. (Journal of Latinos & Education. 2014, Vol. 13 Issue 2). The American Red Cross does its best to avert and alleviates people from suffering in the face of tragedies by organizing volunteers with the power and the generosity of donors.​The American Red Cross, with the help of volunteers, contributors and partners, is widely known for their persistence and always being there for people in times of need. The American Red Cross encourages the desire to turn empathy into action so that families and communities affected by catastrophes from one place to another across the country. They provide support in the form of health care, shelter, and food on a world wide scale with the prayer that our communities are equipped and organized for disasters; each person in our country has access to safe, lifesaving blood and blood products; supporting families as well as family members serving within our armed forces helping them by providing the means to find support and comfort whenever needed; trained individuals close by and ready to use their Red Cross aids to save lives.

If you are interested in making a difference in the lives of others and broadening your own horizons, the American Red Cross is a great organization to join. Their members and instructors are zealous and serious about aiding people during a time of financial need, family crisis and even in recreational settings. The opportunities available within the American Red Cross range from volunteering, to part time babysitting certifications and lifeguarding, all the way to life long careers in disaster relief on national and international levels. This is a visionary charitable association dedicated to improving and saving lives; working with ordinary individuals who have the aspiration to do amazing things. Built upon diversity and open-mindedness, the American Red Cross celebrates and embraces all citizens and families. Its members share a mutual oath to help people, not just in the situation of crises and ruins, but in assisting people every day.

The American Red Cross offers local families recreational assistance in everyday life. Children at the age of thirteen are able to gain a babysitting certification where they are taught first aid, cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and basic decision making and emergency prevention so that they can learn the responsibility of caring for others and earning their own money. At the age of fifteen, people have the chance to take the lifeguard class. With this course come three separate certifications: lifeguarding and first aid, Cardio pulmonary resuscitation for the professional rescuer (CPR-PR), and preventing disease transmission. These two courses provide teens a new way to join the work force responsibly, and to do so helping others.

The American Red Cross not only responds to emergencies during and after their occurrence, but also and in my opinion most importantly the American Red Cross assists the community and its members to prevent emergencies before they happen. They have the capability to achieve tasks that could not take place without care and passion of employees, instructors, and most importantly community volunteers. The assistance, products, knowledge, and peace of mind provided are priceless. These are there to help save and progress lives every single day throughout the world. During my research regarding the American Red Cross my interest was magnified because I learned that the founder of the American Red Cross is a woman, Clarissa Harlowe Barton.

Learning more about the person who started it gathering information learning the history of who started The Red Cross I grew to comprehend and appreciate her understanding and her need to help the needs of other people in distress and the ways in which she could deliver help to others guided her all throughout her life. She opened gateways to new fields of volunteer service. Researching and studying her life at; http://www.redcross.org/about-us/history/clara-barton gathering and analyze information with a variety of websites, and analyzing organizations with similarities. Although I have not really found any results yet but what I hope to find within my research is what did people in this that have to do in order to succeed in society, in their goals and setting a stepping stone for the rest of time. But what I hope to find would be learning if I have the will stored within me to fulfill the tasks of owing a business or am I going to fold.

One of the most significant parts of The Red Cross mission is serving as a resource for our community. By approaching community service with the goal of providing meaningful help for community allowing students to see the use of concepts learned in the classroom to real world situations; providing an chance for learners to progress their understanding of their part as citizens in a democracy; and giving students the chance to reflect on the relationships between the classroom and real life. Programs are intended to assist students by giving them the experiencing first-hand the trials faced by people of diverse backgrounds and to learn more about the schools social service organizations, and other groups that address community needs.

For example during hurricane Katrina, all of a sudden people came across multiple losses, including their homes; savings, prescriptions, and passing of loved ones. Hurricane Katrina left behind such destruction and devastation, survivors required help and to help take precaution for years to come; making an impact for great opportunities.

Resources:

1. http://www.redcross.org/about-us/careers/culture

2. http://www.redcross.org/about-us/history/clara-barton

3. http://web.b.ebscohost.com (Volunteering with the Red Cross Family Emergency Relief Services)

4. http://www.redcross.org/news/article/Hurricane-Katrina-Led-to-Largest-Red-Cross-Relief-Response

5. http://web.b.ebscohost.com (Vulnerable populations in an American Red Cross shelter after Hurricane Katrina.)

6. Grow, Hamm, & Lee’s 8/15/2005, “The Debate over Doing Good” Issue 3947, p76-78. Retrieved From: http://web.a.ebscohost.com.

7. Building Strong Community Partnerships: Equal Voice and Mutual Benefits.

By: Oberg De La Garza, Tammy; Moreno Kuri, Lissette. Journal of Latinos & Education. 2014, Vol. 13 Issue 2, p120-133. 14p. DOI: 10.1080/15348431.2013.821064.

8. Lack of national primary care organization partnerships with community groups to promote health care reform.

Schlaff AL; American Journal of Public Health, May2005; 95(5): 832-834. 3p.

9. A Participatory Planning Approach to Enhancing a Historically Black University-Community Partnership: The Case of the e-City Initiative.

By: Lowe, Jeffrey S. Planning Practice & Research. Nov2008, Vol. 23 Issue 4, p549-558. 10p. 1 Chart, 2 Maps.

10. Vulnerable populations in an American Red Cross shelter after Hurricane Katrina.

Authors: Saunders JM

Source: Perspectives in Psychiatric Care (PERSPECT PSYCHIATR CARE), Feb2007; 43(1): 30-37. (8p)