HURRICANE MARIA

Situation Update

Three weeks after Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, the American Red Cross is working alongside government officials and disaster partners to help the hundreds of thousands of people on both island territories who are suffering right now. Most people on the islands are living with no power and high temperatures, and no cell service, and many are without drinking water. Thousands of homes have been affected.

Across both Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands more than 680 Red Cross workers are supporting relief efforts by:

·         Serving more than 1 million meals and snacks

·         Distributing more than 788,000 relief items

·         Providing more than 14,300 mental health and health services to people in need

Red Cross Response - Puerto Rico

On Puerto Rico after Irma and Maria, hundreds of Red Cross workers are helping to reconnect families and distribute critical relief supplies, including food and water. This includes:

·         Serving more than 540,000 meals and snacks

·         Distributing more than 534,000 relief supplies

·         Providing more than 10,400 mental health and health services to people in need

Red Cross Response - U.S. Virgin Islands

On the U.S. Virgin Islands after Irma and Maria, the Red Cross is supporting shelters, serving meals and snacks, and distributing relief supplies. This includes:

·         Serving more than 128,200 meals and snacks

·         Distributing more than 253,700 relief items

·         Providing more than 3,900 mental health and health services to people in need 

My Red Cross Intern Experience

My name is Kaitlyn and I am graduating from Texas Tech University with a degree in public relations in December. Over the past two years, I have learned many skills and techniques from some of the best and most qualified professors. With the end of my undergraduate career nearing, I wanted an opportunity to apply what I’ve learned to the real world.

In school, one of the first questions they ask you is “what field of public relations do you want to work in?” and I always said nonprofit. I started volunteering when I was 5 and never really stopped so for me, a nonprofit made perfect sense. Getting to work while also serving others and the community is an absolute ideal job for me.

In one of my senior level courses, we were assigned to write a mock press release for different chapters of the American Red Cross. I had been previously CPR and First Aid certified by the American Red Cross so I knew some things about them, but this assignment really opened my eyes. I ended up reading a handful of testimonies and was blown away by how big of an impact this organization had on so many communities.

Months after that assignment, I was walking down the hallway and noticed a flyer to become an intern for the American Red Cross. I grabbed it, called my mom to tell her about it and then applied for the position within two hours of learning about it. I was so nervous but so excited because something about it just felt like it was meant to be. I ended up talking on the phone to a few different directors and immediately knew that these were people I wanted to work with and for.

Fast forward a few weeks and I have now been the South Plains American Red Cross intern for a month! My first day on the job was the same day Hurricane Harvey made landfall so you can imagine how big of a whirlwind it’s been. I definitely wasn’t expecting this to be part of my experience, but I have already learned so much and been able to apply every single thing I’ve learned in school.

With Hurricane Irma and Maria following Harvey, the American Red Cross has been incredibly busy. It’s been amazing to see the responses from my directors, my community and all of the volunteers who are so willing to serve our neighbors in need. The people I work with on a daily basis and the people who come in to donate and volunteer remind me exactly why my answer was always “nonprofit.”

I am so grateful for this opportunity and look forward to learning much more at the American Red Cross this year!