The Community Adaptation Program launched in Tulare County in 2024. By forging new partnerships with hyperlocal nonprofits focused on hunger, health and housing, the Red Cross seeks to build more resilient communities in the face of the climate crisis.

During the Christmas holiday, Igancio's electric wheelchair was destroyed by flooding in his Oxnard home. “When I received the new chair, I was very happy," Ignacio said. "The Red Cross helped immensely and has been very attentive by checking in on me!”

"Taking care of our neighbors and helping save lives." While visiting Oxnard homes to install free smoke alarms at a Home Fire Campaign event, Dick Bellman and his team saved a life when they discovered a 91 year-old's carbon monoxide alarm alerted them.

The Central Valley Heroes Awards returned to the Valley to recognize the everyday extraordinary people who make our communities thrive. We were proud to honor this year's class of heroes who provide relief and hope when help can't wait during emergencies.

Thanks to volunteers like Sydney Highter, more high school students know what to do during an emergency. Red Cross Youth Clubs are empowering fellow students by teaching Hands-Only CPR to blood donors during blood drives on high school & college campuses.

When a Central Valley wildfire neared her home, Joyce Horne evacuated to a Red Cross shelter with her essentials, including a sewing machine & supplies. During her stay, she said “I don’t want to go home now. The volunteers are treating me like a queen.”

The Red Cross is committed to engaging & serving Latino communities equitably through our lifesaving mission. As part of this commitment, the Red Cross has adapted our mission delivery, created new services, built partnerships & is evolving our workforce.

“I am beyond pleased at the care I am receiving and it’s a relief to have a safe place to go to and not worry where I will sleep. You never think about the Red Cross until you need them, and I know they will help,” said Loreta Hubbard during the Borel Fire.

Katrina Poitras was instrumental in building a Wildfire Safety Visit pilot program to help homeowners prepare for wildfires by building defensible space. Her home served as a training location, and two years later a wildfire nearly came to her property.

Volunteers were on the scene of a home fire to comfort a family who sadly lost their home. In the midst of heartache, the group experienced unexpected joy when firefighters sifted through the ashes to reunite the family with their grandmother’s ring.

After a devastating fatal home fire, Red Cross volunteers and the Oxnard Fire Department were inspired to accomplish an ambitious goal to install more than 3,000 lifesaving smoke alarms and provide home fire safety information to their neighbors.

Youth volunteers have no shortage of talent & energy to give to the Red Cross by organizing fundraising drives, teaching lifesaving training courses & more. Red Cross Club leaders attended our first-ever Disaster Youth Summit to learn vital new skills.