American Red Cross, NAACP and Faith-Based Groups Partner to Provide Disaster Training Nationwide

WASHINGTON, Tuesday, May 02, 2006 — The American Red Cross and several African-American civic and religious groups have launched a successful partnership that has trained hundreds of community leaders across the country to become Red Cross volunteers.

Since January, the Red Cross has sent trainers to African Methodist Episcopal Church meetings around the country to train pre-selected participants on the skills needed to operate Red Cross shelters or support disaster relief operations. Similar programs have also been held at Progressive National Baptist Convention and National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) regional conferences. To date nearly 500 people have been trained and certified as Red Cross volunteers or received information on working with the Red Cross during times of disaster.

“This program has been such a success that we hope to replicate it with other organizations across the country,” said Rick Pogue, Senior Vice President of Human Resources and Chief Diversity Officer for the Red Cross. “Volunteers are the backbone of the Red Cross, and as part of our continuing plan to expand involvement of diverse audiences it’s crucial that we reach out to make sure that we are reflective of the entire United States.”

This project signifies a new level of involvement with public service organizations that partner with the Red Cross before a disaster strikes so that communities can truly be prepared. The Red Cross is in talks with several other groups to provide similar trainings at conferences both now and after hurricane season starts June 1st.

“The NAACP looked at this opportunity as a way to close a gap for the Red Cross, and for us,” said Rev. Nelson B. Rivers III, NAACP Chief Operating Officer. “Because of our common interest in doing good and making a difference, it’s important that we work together, and this is way for us to assist and to make sure we are prepared for the next wave of storms, particularly hurricanes.”

The American Red Cross helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Last year, almost a million volunteers and 35,000 employees helped victims of almost 75,000 disasters; taught lifesaving skills to millions; and helped U.S. service members separated from their families stay connected. Almost 4 million people gave blood through the Red Cross, the largest supplier of blood and blood products in the United States. The American Red Cross is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. An average of 91 cents of every dollar the Red Cross spends is invested in humanitarian services and programs. The Red Cross is not a government agency; it relies on donations of time, money, and blood to do its work.