California AmeriCorps of the Red Cross
Getting Things Done
Deadline: Oct. 4
Deadline: Oct. 4
AmeriCorps is a federal service program that engages helpful individuals in community service at organizations across the country. AmeriCorps members at the American Red Cross serve under-resourced communities by providing preparedness education, responding to disasters, and engaging volunteers. Members benefit from a biweekly stipend and health insurance during their service term and are eligible for a $10,000 education award upon the successful completion of the program.
Our AmeriCorps program is looking for passionate individuals who want to make a significant impact on others through public service while gaining meaningful professional experience.
California Safe Corps (CSCS) is a state-wide AmeriCorps program whose members respond to disasters, connect disaster clients with helpful resources, teach vulnerable communities to prepare before disasters strike, and support the organization's volunteer workforce. They also become instructors and deliver a no-cost CPR and First Aid program to under-resourced communities.
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Amber Gibson, Program Director
Amber is a former AmeriCorps member who served alongside Red Cross volunteers and staff during Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts from 2005-2008. She has a master's degree in post-war recovery studies from the University of York. During her time in college, she had the privilege of working with the ministry of public health in Lebanon to draft their first national mental health care strategy. Before starting this position, Amber served as the disaster workforce engagement manager helping to coordinate the engagement of more than 2,000 Red Cross disaster volunteers in Los Angeles.
California AmeriCorps Disaster Team (CADT) is a state-wide AmeriCorps program whose members also focuses on the areas of community preparedness education, disaster response and volunteer management; however, members of this program have the unique opportunity to deploy to disasters across the state under the direction of the California Service Commission to assist with response and recovery efforts.
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Minimum Eligibility Requirements
Service locations may include:
Our AmeriCorps programs recruit passionate individuals who seek to make a positive difference in the lives of others through public service. Successful candidates are service-minded, collaborative, and adaptable individuals prepared to serve full-time for 10.5-months.
Day-to-day duties depend upon specific roles. Nevertheless, AmeriCorps members across all regions deliver preparedness presentations, respond to local and national emergencies, and assist clients on their road to recovery from disasters. AmeriCorps members also help build the organization’s capacity by supporting our Youth Volunteer groups, recruiting and training new volunteers, and by leading specialized volunteer teams across all lines of service.
I cannot thank the Disaster Team enough for all they have done. We continue to be blessed by the generosity and support of the American Red Cross these AmeriCorps members. I remember fondly when this team arrived. There are no words that can express our gratitude for all of the care, support, energy, and time members devoted to helping us vaccinate over 160,000 arms in South Los Angeles. Thank you for all of the support of California Volunteers, the Americorps, and the American Red Cross.
Service members have been instrumental and tremendously vital in our vaccine distribution program at KEDREN HEALTH. It is such a pleasure and joy serving with each of them.
Thank you infinitely for all your help and all the support you have given us. I’d especially like to thank you for reading my emails, for giving me the confidence [to be] someone with a voice whom another can listen to or whose letters another can read. I hope never to relive this feeling of desolation and hopelessness. What could I say if it wasn’t for you?
My husband told me you called to see how we were doing. He told me, “Don’t worry, a Red Cross representative called to see how we’re doing. See? Someone does care about us.” I doubted your existence until that day I read your email.
You brought to me hope and the will to continue forth. I tell you, I have many plans. And this eruption of visions, plans, and hopes is thanks to you.
And so I thank you for changing my life.
Members benefit from many opportunities to engage in emergency management training, especially during their first month of service. Thereafter, the program offers a mid-year retreat and sporadic trainings throughout the service term to further develop the member’s professional capacities. Training includes becoming CPR/First Aid certified, Psychological First Aid, becoming a Red Cross preparedness instructor, and so much more.
Our programs invite members to join a 25+ year legacy of getting things done to strengthen under-resourced communities across the United States. In return, we want to help you. Members are awarded service hours dedicated to the transition from service to their life after AmeriCorps, whether this be the pursuit of higher education, the launch of a new career, or enrollment in another service term.
Members develop a project beyond the normal scope of their responsibilities to enhance their service experience and to leave a lasting contribution to their program, the organization, or their department. Past projects include preparedness videos for social media publication, a local study of diversity, and a Power BI app to streamline one of the organization’s signature services.
Join a network of like-minded leaders who are passionate about improving underserved communities. AmeriCorps alumni receive access to special benefits and resources. For example, many colleges and universities match the Education Award and offer additional AmeriCorps scholarships. Once you complete your service, leverage the Employers of National Service network to connect with hundreds of employers from the private, public, and nonprofit sectors who are committed to hiring alumni.
AmeriCorps staff hosts a mid-year retreat to afford members an opportunity to re-connect to their year of service and to focus on their professional development. Members benefit from a variety of networking and training opportunities amid a serene landscape.
We host happy hours, movie nights, game nights, and virtual talk shows to encourage members to build relationships with their colleagues and to leverage the network they’ve built here well past their exit from the program.
AmeriCorps members come together multiple times throughout the year to celebrate heroes such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Cesar Chavez by volunteering to improve the lives of others in partnership with local organizations. AmeriCorps have been charged with leading volunteer efforts on these day for the past quarter century. Members will have the opportunity to volunteer with a new organization on these days to connect with their communities and inspire others to get involved.
Members across both programs have the exciting opportunity to deploy to disaster response operations anywhere in the United States. These engagements may last anywhere between two and four consecutive weeks. In previous years, members responded to wildfires, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Members benefit from many opportunities to engage in emergency management training, especially during their first month of service. Thereafter, the program offers a mid-year retreat and sporadic trainings throughout the service term to further develop members professional capacities. Member engage in extensive emergency management and AmeriCorps training their first three weeks of service. From there, the program provides monthly trainings, a mid-year retreat that includes extensive work on Life After AmeriCorps plan, and other professional development opportunities through the term of service. Trainings include becoming CPR/First Aid certified, Psychological First Aid, and becoming a Red Cross preparedness instructor, and so much more.
Members have the unique opportunity to serve at the world’s largest humanitarian agency, the Red Cross. Being a Red Crosser provides enormous opportunities for members including extensive emergency management training, mentorship from the premier humanitarian leaders in California as well as connections to the larger Red Cross network through professional development opportunities and national events.
AmeriCorps member responding to the Ridgecrest Earthquake in 2019.
AmeriCorps members at a Pillowcase Project presentation in our Northern California Coastal region.
Los Angeles AmeriCorps members at a Sound the Alarm event in 2020.
