Greater Houston Area East End Branch - A Visionary Chapter

The East End Branch of the Greater Houston Area Chapter serves a community that is largely Hispanic/Latino. Among the branch's many activities is National Nite Out, in which staff members use games to teach families about staying safe.

Written by Jessica Bernstein, Redcross.org

When she was 11 years old, Ana J. was finally able to see the sky, thanks in part to the American Red Cross Greater Houston Area Chapter. Ana, her parents and three siblings had recently arrived from El Salvador when they walked into the East End Branch Office of the Greater Houston Area Chapter on a sunny day in 1986. Referred to the Red Cross for vision and hearing screenings by a local health clinic, Ana was found to be legally blind. While the family had very limited access to local resources, the Red Cross worked through the Lions Club and a local optician to procure glasses for Ana. "Fifteen years have passed but I still vividly recall Ana's expression when she walked out of the optician's office. She smiled, looked around at the sky and exclaimed, 'how beautiful!'" states Teresa Recio, Director of the East End Branch Office.

Screening and Assistance Can Hold the Key to a Child's Success
Ana is one of many children who have been helped by the Greater Houston Area Chapter's audio/visual screening program. The program began in 1985 in response to legislation that was enacted requiring all elementary school-aged children to be screened for hearing and vision problems. Because the program is based in the chapter's East End branch, it serves a population that is predominantly Hispanic, many of whom recently arrived from Central and South America.

Correcting vision and hearing impairments can hold the key to a child's success in school. If left untreated, these hidden handicaps can affect a child's ability to learn and to respond to others. Over a recent one-year period, the chapter screened more than 5,000 children who were referred by local schools. 102 children were diagnosed with hearing problems; 150 required vision correction. The chapter worked with the Texas Department of Public Health and the Lions Club to secure glasses and hearing aids for children whose families could not afford these items.

The audio/visual screening program has paved the way for staff from the East End Branch to develop a rapport with local families. Relationships with school nurses, faculty and administrators have also grown stronger. On a number of occasions, a teacher has contacted the chapter to inform them that a child whom she thought had behavior problems became a model student after being screened at the chapter and then fitted for glasses or a hearing aid.

Celebrando Nuestros Niños - Celebrating Children
The chapter's connections with the community have led to other activities. Each year the branch office alone serves more than 15,000 children through screenings, health and safety education programs and health fairs. In April, the chapter reaffirmed its commitment to children by hosting a celebration of El Dia del Niño (Day of the Child) for the seventh consecutive year. El Dia del Niño is a day set aside to value and uplift all children and youth in the United States. Children's days are celebrated throughout the world, including Mexico and other parts of Latin America. The East End Branch of the Greater Houston Area Chapter recognized the community's commitment to children with a health fair featuring food, games, prizes and a big piñata. Forty to fifty agencies participate including schools, social and community service organizations, and those offering health and safety services. Businesses such as Home Depot provided children with special activities. This year's event attracted more than 1200 participants.

In recognition of the Red Cross' contribution to the community and their theme, Celebrando Nuestros Niños - Celebrating Children, the chapter received special thanks from the Mayor of the City of Houston and the district's State Representative. But perhaps the greatest recognition comes from the children who have been served.

Margarita's Success
Eighteen-year old Margarita Posadas was part of the class of 2001 graduating from Mt. Carmel High School in Houston. In a letter to the Greater Houston Area Chapter, Ms. Posadas credits her success partly to the American Red Cross for correcting her vision problem when she was a child. "The reason I am writing is to thank the Red Cross for everything they did when I was little. The Red Cross… made my parents and I aware that I had a vision problem when I was little. If it weren't for them, I would have done poorly in school. I am 18 now, at an age where I am aware of how much the Red Cross helped me, and I appreciate their hard work. So thank you."

If you would like to find out more information about this chapter's programs, please visit their Web site.

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