by Anton Ghosh
As floods ravaged Planada, a small community in central California’s Merced County in 2023, Valley Onward, a local community non-profit organization, deployed its resources to help the local community respond and recover. They advised local residents on how to apply for financial assistance and led community discussions on where to find resources. As part of that process, Valley Onward applied for a grant from the California Office of Emergency Services to bolster its response to the floods and create a more resilient community in Merced County. For Valley Onward, the eventual funding it received was a pleasant surprise. It would allow Valley Onward to strengthen its mission of creating lasting changes in health, housing, education and other areas. There were more surprises to come, however.
That is because before applying for the grant, Valley Onward began researching other emergency service organizations in Merced County. As Valley Onward project manager Joana Alfaro explains, “That’s when we first heard about the American Red Cross. We realized there were so many different ways to support and work with the Red Cross.”
Shortly after, Valley Onward members participated in the Red Cross shelter training—knowledge that has become essential during disasters. Today, nearly 20 Valley Onward employees have received Red Cross emergency response certifications and volunteer with the organization. Jessica Ramos, who is both a Valley Onward community health worker and a Red Cross volunteer, says this partnership “reflects a shared mission to serve and protect our communities, especially those who are often underserved. Through this collaboration, we’re able to bring life-saving resources, education, and support directly to families in Merced County.”
The Valley Onward team applied for a grant from the California Office of Emergency Services.
Valley Onward commits itself to providing necessary resources to underserved communities.
Valley Onward employees and the Red Cross partner on campaigns such as Sound the Alarm, which installs free smoke alarms in homes across Merced County. Staff members also participate in Prepare with Pedro, a program where Pedro the Penguin teaches kids how to get ready for emergencies. Ramos says of the program, “We’re currently delivering these presentations at all three elementary schools in Delhi, and it’s been a wonderful experience. The children are enthusiastic, curious, and eager to learn—making this one of the most rewarding parts of my work.”
Today, Valley Onward’s partnership with the Red Cross is a vital part of its work in the Central Valley, particularly Merced County. The two organizations work together weekly, which has allowed them to reinforce consistency and build trust in their emergency measures with local communities. “Having the Red Cross alongside us really creates a strength for us,” says Alfaro, “It not only brings credibility to what we’re doing but also shows families that they can trust the information and support we provide.”
Red Cross Merced County Community Disaster Program manager, Gameelah Mohamed, agrees and points to how Valley Onward has bolstered Merced County’s emergency response capabilities. As Gameelah explains: “One of the Red Cross’s core objectives is community mobilization, and Valley Onward exemplifies this commitment. Their team has not only boosted preparedness efforts throughout Merced County by providing our resources to impacted and underserved populations, but they’re also wonderful to work with.”
This partnership will be especially important as Valley Onward looks to expand its area of operations. Valley Onward has begun expanding into Stanislaus County. Alfaro explains that this will allow Valley Onward to ensure “families across the region are not left behind intimes of crisis.”
So, what advice would Valley Onward give to other small, community organizations looking to strengthen their local capacity? Alfaro says, “We, as organizations in the community, should collaborate with other organizations so we can all be stronger together. Having the American Red Cross in a partnership with us really strengthens the work we do.”
Valley Onward is a celebrated partner of the American Red Cross Northern California Coastal Region, receiving the 2025 Community Engagement Award in the Heart of the Valley Chapter.
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