Wednesday, May 30 – Colorado Springs – By Kate Walters – Three volunteers from The American Red Cross of Colorado & Wyoming Region are part of the team in Santa Fe, Texas, as they wrap up the powerful support services that have been offered there.
American Flags Line the Streets for Santa Fe Strong
On May 18, a student at Santa Fe High School opened fire, killing 10 people and injuring 13. On that day, the community of Santa Fe and the families and friends of the victims were left with a devastating loss. The American Red Cross, whose mission is to bring relief to those who suffer, was invited to provide support to this community as it begins the difficult recovery process.FLags
Three volunteers from the Colorado & Wyoming Region were requested and anxiously yet apprehensively stepped up to the challenge. Della Wilson of Western Colorado is serving as a Disaster Mental Health volunteer. Out of Southeastern Colorado, Tina Harrison is a Client Casework Supervisor, and Kris Kennedy is assisting remotely with the Information and Planning Team. These three volunteers have offered their time and skills to support the critical process of recovery in Santa Fe.
A spontaneous memorial site under the Santa Fe High School Marquee
The Red Cross was asked to take the lead in setting up a Family Assistance Center and are now aiding in the transition to The Santa Fe Strong Resiliency Center which will be run by local community partners with the purpose of providing a central location for those affected by this tragedy to seek support. According to Tara Hughes, a Red Cross Family Assistance Center Lead and an experienced Red Cross volunteer, the center aims to help people build resiliency as they face the challenges ahead. At the center, meals, snacks and refreshments are always available as a physical comfort. Disaster Mental Health and Spiritual Care volunteers are on hand to listen, understand and help people prepare to move toward resilient recovery. Health Services facilitates meeting immediate medical needs. Caseworkers help determine unmet needs, connect people with local resources and provide other assistance on an individual basis.
Tina Harrison, a caseworker from Southeastern Colorado provides assistance in Santa Fe, TX
Red Cross volunteers were present at every memorial and every funeral. They were available at the high school every day lifting up, holding tight and expressing loving support to those impacted by this tragedy. Della Wilson was pleased that “High school students were provided with the Red Cross 24/7 Disaster Distress Helpline (see below) which includes a texting option allowing teens to communicate in their own way.” Volunteers also provided recovery support in hospitals and private homes. As the Red Cross presence winds down the team has helped to unite and strengthen local partners leaving behind a community that is better prepared to face their ongoing mission of recovery. Hughes says, “We realize their lives won’t ever be the same, so we’re helping them today to make it easier as they move forward.”
Red Cross volunteers join the community in support of returning high school students.
Yesterday the Red Cross team joined with the rest of the community, holding up handmade signs of support as they lined the route to Santa Fe High School. This was the first time students returned to school since the incident.
“Pain is real, but so is hope.” Shares Dr. Diana Levine, a Spiritual Care volunteer.
To reach out for free 24/7 counseling or support, contact the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs’ to 66746.
Disasters are upsetting experiences for everyone involved. Children, senior citizens, people with disabilities and people for whom English is not their first language are especially at risk and are likely to need extra care and help. But everyone, even the people that others look up to for guidance and assistance, is entitled to their feelings and deserves support throughout the recovery process.
This summer, the conditions are ripe for wildfires here in Colorado & Wyoming. The Red Cross always needs volunteers to serve in a variety of capacities. Whether you can deploy to another location for several weeks or you have a few hours a week available, as a volunteer, you can be a valued asset to our organization. We encourage you to plan ahead by signing up now so that you will be readily available should a disaster occur. Simply go to Redcross.org and follow link.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.