Disaster Drill to be held May 17, Community Members Needed!

On Saturday, May 17 from 9am-2pm the Santa Cruz County Chapter of the American Red Cross will host a disaster drill.

During the drill, emergency service volunteers will practice the skills they need during disaster:

 

– opening up a shelter for people displaced by the disaster

– preparing a meal for a large group

– providing for medical and mental health needs

– issuing client assistance

 

We need community members who are willing to act as our disaster victims. Lunch will be provided. This is a great chance to see what the American Red Cross of Santa Cruz County can do if our community is struck by a disaster. Please join us!

If you’re interested in helping or have any questions, please call us at 831-462-2881 x20.

Youth Coordinator position available!

Just out of school? Looking for a great opportunity in non-profit? We have just opened a new position here at the chapter for a Youth Services Coordinator. Our Youth Services initiative has only recently been created; This is an exciting opportunity to showcase your skills by helping it grow!

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY CHAPTER

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

JOB TITLE: COORDINATOR-YOUTH SERVICES

Full-time, Temporary-to-Regular, Grant position

BASIC FUNCTION: The Coordinator of Youth Services is an entry-level training position that is responsible for coordinating Red Cross youth services in Santa Cruz County. This includes collaborating with other organizations in the community, establishing goals and objectives with youth, developing funding sources and strategic relationships related to youth activities, and inspiring a new generation of volunteers and supporters of the American Red Cross.

RELATIONSHIPS: Reports to the Chief Executive. Provides support to youth and other volunteer committees. Develops and maintains strong working relationships with other Chapter manager and appropriate youth organizations (city, county and private) within the Chapter’s jurisdiction. Recognizes and builds capacity.

QUALIFICATIONS: BA degree in Sociology, Social Services, Child Development or a related field. Ability to multi task and work within a team environment as a member and leader; organizes events or projects with successful results. This individual must possess excellent verbal and written communication skills and strong computer skills, including experience with MS Word, Excel, and Outlook. Must be enthusiastic, have a positive attitude and ability to work effectively with others. A valid California driver’s license and own transportation is required. Bilingual in English/Spanish is required, able to work flexible weekend, early morning and/or evening hours.

 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

● Execute program goals, objectives, and strategies in collaboration with youth leadership.

● Recruit, train and support Youth Services volunteers for the successful implementation of ARC youth

programs.

● Work with other department staff to include youth involvement in all Chapter functions.

● Develop, establish, promote, and coordinate Chapter’s youth activities such as the Youth Leadership

Development Conference, Red Cross Clubs, Chapter Youth Council and Youth involvement in

Board projects.

● Evaluate and continuously improve the quality of youth service programs.

● Assist staff in the developing and maintaining community relations, serving as an advocate and

ambassador for youth programs.

● Consolidate and summarize youth program statistics for reporting purposes.

● Monitor and stay within the Youth Services department budget.

● Be an active member of the Chapter’s strategic planning process.

● Work closely with the Chapter CEO to identify funding sources for youth.

● Coordinate and implement fundraising projects and activities sufficient to generate no less than $25,000 by

June 30, 2008 and an additional $10,000 by November 1, 2008.

● Ensure Youth Services Department programs and services meet the requirements set out by youth grants.

● Work in conjunction with Regional Youth activities and National Youth Council.

OTHER FUNCTIONS:

This job description does not state or imply that these are the only duties to be performed by the individual occupying this position. An employee is expected to follow any other job-related directions and to perform other job-related duties requested by the employee’s manager. Able and willing to lift program and event materials, stoop, sit, reach over ones head and climb stairs. Position will be based at the Watsonville Service Center from Monday’s-Thursday’s and the Santa Cruz office on Friday’s.

Compensation: $11 - $14 p/hour depending on experience.

To Apply:

Email or mail a cover letter and resume to the attention of: Youth Services Coordinator Applicant

Email: djones@sccredcross.org

Mail Address: American Red Cross
2960 Soquel Avenue
Santa Cruz, CA 95062

Applications will be reviewed as received and qualified candidates will be contacted. The position will be filled when the most qualified candidate is identified.

This year, Change a Life – Starting with your own.

Looking for a New Year’s Resolution you won’t want to go back on? Join the American Red Cross family!

When we say that YOU are the American Red Cross – it is not just some goofy tag line. Did you know that the staff of the American Red Cross nationwide is 96% volunteer? Each chapter, in fact, is lead by a 100% volunteer board. The American Red Cross is a civilian organization, where ordinary people can step up and do extraordinary things!

It really is easy to become a part of the Santa Cruz County Chapter. You can do something as simple as give blood at one of our regular local drives, or you can become a Disaster Services volunteer and be deployed to local and national disasters, from single home fires to massive disasters that affect entire communities. You can help members of the military connect with their families in the States while they are overseas. You can learn how to teach CPR and First Aid or our Babysitter’s Training class and teach countless individuals how to save a life. You can help low income and elderly individuals by transporting them to their medical appointments. You can even come to our office and help us file papers. All of these things help the Santa Cruz County Chapter continue to serve our area.

Don’t wait until the next big disaster hits! The more training you have with us, the more you’ll be able to help. All of our disaster training is free – and you’ll have fun working with our team. You can choose to be deployed across the country or stay right here in the county. We will work with your schedule the best that we can.

Want to be reminded of your resolution? We can do that! Just click HERE and we will send you a reminder. Or, give our chapter a call at 831-462-2881. You can also walk in… we are located at 2960 Soquel Avenue (the frontage road to HWY1) in Santa Cruz.

Youth Services Coordinator Position Available!

Just out of school? Looking for a great opportunity in non-profit? We have just opened a new position here at the chapter for a Youth Services Coordinator. Our Youth Services initiative has only recently been created; This is an exciting opportunity to showcase your skills by helping it grow!

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY CHAPTER

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

JOB TITLE: COORDINATOR-YOUTH SERVICES

Full-time, Temporary-to-Regular, Grant position

BASIC FUNCTION: The Coordinator of Youth Services is an entry-level training position that is responsible for coordinating Red Cross youth services in Santa Cruz County. This includes collaborating with other organizations in the community, establishing goals and objectives with youth, developing funding sources and strategic relationships related to youth activities, and inspiring a new generation of volunteers and supporters of the American Red Cross.

RELATIONSHIPS: Reports to the Chief Executive. Provides support to youth and other volunteer committees. Develops and maintains strong working relationships with other Chapter manager and appropriate youth organizations (city, county and private) within the Chapter’s jurisdiction. Recognizes and builds capacity.

QUALIFICATIONS: BA degree in Sociology, Social Services, Child Development or a related field. Ability to multi task and work within a team environment as a member and leader; organizes events or projects with successful results. This individual must possess excellent verbal and written communication skills and strong computer skills, including experience with MS Word, Excel, and Outlook. Must be enthusiastic, have a positive attitude and ability to work effectively with others. A valid California driver’s license and own transportation is required. Bilingual in English/Spanish is required, able to work flexible weekend, early morning and/or evening hours.

 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

● Execute program goals, objectives, and strategies in collaboration with youth leadership.

● Recruit, train and support Youth Services volunteers for the successful implementation of ARC youth

programs.

● Work with other department staff to include youth involvement in all Chapter functions.

● Develop, establish, promote, and coordinate Chapter’s youth activities such as the Youth Leadership

Development Conference, Red Cross Clubs, Chapter Youth Council and Youth involvement in

Board projects.

● Evaluate and continuously improve the quality of youth service programs.

● Assist staff in the developing and maintaining community relations, serving as an advocate and

ambassador for youth programs.

● Consolidate and summarize youth program statistics for reporting purposes.

● Monitor and stay within the Youth Services department budget.

● Be an active member of the Chapter’s strategic planning process.

● Work closely with the Chapter CEO to identify funding sources for youth.

● Coordinate and implement fundraising projects and activities sufficient to generate no less than $25,000 by

June 30, 2008 and an additional $10,000 by November 1, 2008.

● Ensure Youth Services Department programs and services meet the requirements set out by youth grants.

● Work in conjunction with Regional Youth activities and National Youth Council.

OTHER FUNCTIONS:

This job description does not state or imply that these are the only duties to be performed by the individual occupying this position. An employee is expected to follow any other job-related directions and to perform other job-related duties requested by the employee’s manager. Able and willing to lift program and event materials, stoop, sit, reach over ones head and climb stairs. Position will be based at the Watsonville Service Center from Monday’s-Thursday’s and the Santa Cruz office on Friday’s.

Compensation: $11 - $14 p/hour depending on experience.

To Apply:

Email or mail a cover letter and resume to the attention of: Youth Services Coordinator Applicant

Email: djones@sccredcross.org

Mail Address: American Red Cross
2960 Soquel Avenue
Santa Cruz, CA 95062

Applications will be reviewed as received and qualified candidates will be contacted. The position will be filled when the most qualified candidate is identified.

Watsonville Service Center Opens!

Thanks to an army of individuals and local businesses, the Watsonville Service Center is now open. We had a blast sharing our office space yesterday at our Ribbon Cutting Event. Four high school students even showed up to become volunteers for their service hours!

Pictured above are Board Chairman and Scotts Valley City Councilman Cliff Barrett, Board Member and Watsonville City Councilman Antonio Rivas, Immediate Past Board Chair Joyce Anderson, CEO Donna Jones, Emergency Response Vehicle Volunteer Driver Jerry Finney and Volunteer Clyta Amadeo.

The Watsonville Service Center would not have been possible if not for the efforts of Antonio Rivas. The Santa Cruz County Chapter extends it’s heartfelt gratitude for all of his hard work!

Thank you again to everyone who made the opening of this office possible. We are thrilled to have the improved ability to serve the city of Watsonville!

10 disaster relief volunteers from Santa Cruz County currently deployed to the Midwest

We currently have the following volunteers deployed to the flood relief effort in the Midwest:

Clyta Amadeo (Santa Cruz) Caseworker
Janet Packer (Aptos) Caseworker
Ralph Reyes (Scotts Valley) Caseworker
Steve Mouw (Aptos) Damage Assessment
Rick Daniel (Santa Cruz) Caseworker
Bonnie Faraola (Santa Cruz) Caseworker
David Allison (Freedom) Caseworker
Stacey Stein (Aptos) Caseworker
Beth Bloom (Aptos) Caseworker
Jon Butah (Watsonville) Shelter Worker

For a few of these volunteers, this is their first disaster relief operation with us.  We wish them luck and hope that all is going well.

 

If you would like to join our dedicated disaster relief team, please contact Patsy Hernandez, Emergency Services Officer.  She will guide you though the training necessary to help people in a time of great loss, such as the flooding in the Midwest.  You can reach her at 831-462-2881  x16   or email her at phernandez@sccredcross.org.