As we celebrate International Youth Day, the American Red Cross spotlights several young volunteers who share their inspiring stories of how they discovered the Red Cross mission in communities across the globe.

KAYLEE KIM has been a Red Cross volunteer for seven years, recently completing her two-year term on the National Youth Council.

In December of 2024, Kaylee was in Korea on her winter break when Jeju Air Flight 2216 crashed while landing at Muan International Airport in South Korea. The tragedy claimed 179 lives and Kaylee knew several of the victims.

“For the remainder of my break, I volunteered with the Korean Red Cross at Muan International Airport, helping support grieving families through one of the darkest moments imaginable,” she said.

Being bilingual in Korean and English allowed the young volunteer to bridge communication gaps for international travelers and families affected by the disaster. Some family members and passengers’ relatives were not Korean speakers. “I helped translate conversations between families and airport officials, government representatives and relief workers,” she said.

She saw the scope of the disaster response ─ from the immediate relief taking place at the airport to the extensive coordination happening behind the scenes. “I realized that every act of compassion is supported by an enormous network of planning, logistics, partnerships and dedicated professionals working tirelessly behind the scenes,” Kaylee said.

Asked if she would recommend becoming a Red Cross volunteer, she answered, “Absolutely. Every one of these experiences has shaped who I am today. Joining the Red Cross has been one of the most impactful decisions I’ve ever made, and I encourage every young person to experience the same journey of service.”

BRYAN ALEMAN started his journey with the Red Cross as a 16-year-old volunteer from Parral, Mexico. Today he is an advisor to the National Youth Council for the American Red Cross, and the State Referent for Community Intervention with the Mexican Red Cross.

One of his greatest international experiences with the Mexican Red Cross was meeting delegations from youth groups from the American Red Cross, the Costa Rican Red Cross, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and the International Committee of the Red Cross during Mexico’s National Youth Camps.

“Being able to share this traditional Mexican Red Cross Youth event with members of the American Red Cross remains one of my greatest joys.” Bryan said. “Although our National Societies are geographically close, our programs, especially our youth programs, can be very different. Sharing our experiences showed how these spaces can strengthen our international youth network while allowing us to build meaningful professional and personal connections.”

“Growing up within the youth program of the world’s largest humanitarian movement has given me more opportunities than I could have ever imagined,” he reported. “From beginning my journey as a young volunteer in Parral to now supporting the National Youth Council at National Headquarters, every step has strengthened my commitment to helping make our Movement greater, more inclusive, and better prepared for our future.”

MARISA LEONG began her Red Cross service at age 16 as an extracurricular activity that has become a 14-year commitment, and counting — one that has continued through her move from Macau to the U.S. for college and her transition from student to working professional. For the past 8 years, she has advised and supported the American Red Cross National Youth Council, shaping national youth strategy and driving execution for a network of 100,000+ youth volunteers.

In 2024, Marisa represented the American Red Cross youth volunteers at the Statutory Meetings of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (IFRC) in Geneva, Switzerland. Seated alongside the American Red Cross delegation, Marisa joined Red Cross leaders and government officials from nearly 200 countries in discussions on pressing humanitarian issues and the adoption of resolutions.

She also attended the Youth Forum where she exchanged ideas and learnings on youth initiatives with youth delegates from around the world. Marisa came away energized by the range of programs youth are leading globally — driven by a shared will to make a difference for their communities and the world.

Marisa left Geneva after those two weeks with a renewed appreciation for the individuals across the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement, along with new knowledge and connections that will continue to shape her work with the Red Cross in the years ahead.

INTERNATIONAL YOUTH DAY celebrates young people as partners in the global society. Here at the American Red Cross, we celebrate and recognize our young volunteers today and every day as they symbolize both the present and the future of our organization. They are our future leaders, volunteers, blood donors and advocates who will carry our humanitarian mission forward.

There are more than 1,500 Red Cross Youth and Young Adult Clubs with as many as 37,000 members. More than 14,000 people have subscribed to the monthly YouthWire newsletter, and almost 15,000 follow Red Cross Youth and Young Adults on Instagram to receive the latest news and learn about leadership opportunities. Proud of our commitment to youth, our programs to involve them begin in elementary school and extend through high school, college and beyond. Learn more here.