In the wake of Tropical Storm Harold, the American Red Cross Coastal Bend chapter and South Texas Chapter are in need of bilingual individuals willing to volunteer. 

In response to the storm, a division of the Red Cross called the Latino Engagement Team deployed to Corpus Christi to aid the effort. Our Latino Engagement Teams work with local chapter to help connect with vulnerable populations in our communities.

One of the members of the LET, Lee Cameron, traveled to Corpus Christi from Minnesota. Cameron says of his role, “The Latino Engagement Team is a group of volunteers who receive special training working with different ethnicities. The goal is to ensure good communication as well as to employ a cultural savvy and sensitivity.”  In Corpus Christi, Cameron was part of a team knocking on doors in residential areas, working to determine the damage incurred by the storm. 

“The Latino Engagement Team brings a level of trust,” said Angie Garcia, the Executive Director for the Coastal Bend chapter. “It removes language barriers and encourages interaction between communities and volunteers.”  Garcia also emphasized the need for more individuals willing to devote their time to the cause. “We have a large Spanish-speaking community, and our neighboring chapters have even more. The Latino Engagement Team can reach people who wouldn’t feel comfortable asking for help otherwise.”

“Now more than ever the need for bilingual volunteers is extremely important,” said, Brittney Rochell, interim Executive Director for the South Texas Chapter. She continues by stating that climate crisis is causing an increase in disasters in our region and across the U.S. and when a volunteer can help someone in need in their own language it makes a huge impact.

The Red Cross, powered by volunteers, is responsible for aiding the recovery process following disasters like the one in Corpus Christi. Bilingual volunteers are valuable every day in the chapter but especially when disasters strike. Please consider volunteering with the Red Cross and being the hope those need during devastation by going to redcross.org/Texas.  

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

Story By: Kristen Lawler