Olivia Koutsky/American Red Cross

In Los Angeles, where cultures converge and neighbors come from every corner of the globe, the American Red Cross shows up with a workforce that reflects the communities it serves. During Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, that commitment to representation and connection is especially meaningful, because in moments of crisis, trust can begin with recognition.

For longtime Red Cross volunteer Castles, diversity is not just an idea; it is a bridge. Over her decades of service, Castles has seen how meeting people with cultural awareness, empathy and understanding can break down barriers and open the door to help. Her story is one of showing up in life’s darkest moments and proving that when compassion reflects the community, hope is never out of reach.

Castles has been a Red Cross volunteer for more than 20 years. In that time, she has volunteered in writing, media relations, mass care and sheltering. Her volunteering takes her into difficult situations, but when Castles shows up, she makes a difference. She looks closely at challenging moments, finding ways to bring hope and companionship.

Castles witnessed the Red Cross disaster response firsthand on Sept. 11, 2001, when she was working at Los Angeles International Airport. After the attacks, all flights were canceled, leaving travelers stranded at the airport. While these travelers could have been left on their own, the Red Cross set up evacuation centers that day. The Red Cross provided foreign-language services, mental health support and even phone chargers so people could call for rides. Inspired by this care, Castles decided to volunteer.

Once Castles joined the Red Cross, her new networks allowed her to multiply her impact. For example, in 2005, Castles was deployed to a shelter in Kentucky, where river floods had forced people from their homes. While checking people into the shelter, she learned that, on the other side of the river, people in West Virginia did not have shelters. She and her team used Red Cross contacts to start a chain of communication from Kentucky officials to West Virginia officials to FEMA. FEMA ordered Red Cross shelters for West Virginia, and in this way, Castles’s volunteer role opened the door to more powerful ways to create change.

People receiving help can be similarly surprised by what the Red Cross offers. Last year, as a disaster response team lead, Castles responded to a home fire in Los Angeles. The father, an immigrant, had saved for 20 years to buy his home, and when Castles met him, he was carrying the weight of the tragedy on his own shoulders. He declined emotional support from his family and financial assistance from the Red Cross. Seeing this hesitancy, Castles decided to be specific in her offers. She explained the Red Cross financial assistance card as a way for him to begin recovering. This approach eventually convinced him to accept. When he thanked her, he said, “I didn’t know that’s what the Red Cross does… I’ve never asked for help, but you offered to help.”

To Castles, it is important that all Angelenos know they can rely on the Red Cross. One way to reach more communities, including the Asian American and Pacific Islander community, is through representation. In her own work, Castles has seen this in action and is proud to be part of a team that looks like the people it serves.

Castles’s experiences with the Red Cross have transformed her everyday life. On two occasions, she has helped people experiencing medical emergencies at Los Angeles International Airport. Beyond that, her volunteering has introduced her to new parts of Los Angeles, built her sense of community and taught her to listen with greater sensitivity. Even when she sees no clear action to take, she finds meaning in simply being there for someone, sharing in a difficult moment and responding with empathy.

To learn more about how you can support your community, become a volunteer or make a donation, visit redcross.org or download the free American Red Cross app to your phone. Your time, compassion and support can help ensure that no one faces an emergency alone. 

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.