By Mystie Ng/American Red Cross

National Youth Involvement Month (NYIM), held every November, is a flagship initiative by the American Red Cross National Youth Council, designed to celebrate and empower young volunteers. With the 2025 theme “Pathway to Impact!” NYIM encourages youth to explore diverse roles within the Red Cross, fostering leadership and service skills while contributing to the organization’s mission. 

Kaden Espino’s Red Cross journey exemplifies this pathway. Beginning in high school during the COVID-19 pandemic, Kaden’s volunteerism became life-defining—for Kaden, volunteering is a mission that has shaped his life and the lives of those he helps. Whether serving with Disaster Cycle Services in support of local disaster responses or working with International Services, his dedication remains unlimited. 

Following high school graduation, Kaden joined the local AmeriCorps program as a youth coordinator—he wanted to give back to the very program that helped shape his Red Cross journey in high school. Inspired by his early experiences as a Red Cross youth volunteer, Kaden aimed to focus on supporting future youth volunteers and the next generation of youth leaders. 

As coordinator, Kaden served over 2,100 hours and educated over 2,600 community members, including fellow youth volunteers, through initiatives like Prepare with Pedro and Be Red Cross Ready. He also oversaw the planning and execution of region-wide youth events across L.A.’s five regional chapters. In this role, Kaden witnessed the impact youth volunteers brought to their communities, inspiring him to continue his support of the program even after his AmeriCorps term was completed.  

Kaden continues to support the growth of numerous youth programs, including the annual Leadership Development Camp, READYTeens and more. He currently serves as a youth engagement lead, working closely with the regional youth program manager to maintain the number one youth program in the nation, which boasts over 2,000 volunteers, 40 youth leaders and spanning 113 local schools.  

Kaden’s most memorable moment occurred when youth volunteers from across the LA region gathered for a day of service. What began as a simple idea to engage and empower youth through hands-on service activities, evolved into an event that drew over 90 attendees. Together, participants made a lasting mark by packing over 1,000 Sound the Alarm packets, providing Hands-Only CPR training and learning about the International Humanitarian Law Youth Action campaign.  

Kaden’s commitment continues as the Youth Representative on the Red Cross LA Board of Directors, where he advocates for youth programs and highlights the impact of their service. He remains a passionate champion of the youth voice, ensuring they have a platform to lead and inspire both locally and nationally. For those looking to join the LA Youth program, Kaden offers this advice:  

"Don't be afraid to try something new and step out of your comfort zone. Every experience, even the ones that are unfamiliar, is a chance to grow. If you come across something challenging, use it as an opportunity to build skills that will strengthen your ability to inspire and support your community.” 

To learn more about youth volunteer programs, visit redcross.org.  

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 follow us on social media