Yachiyl ‘Ya-Ya’ Swapsy surrounded by Bethel Baptist Church staff and Red Cross volunteers at their shelter following Illinois storms in August 2026
By: Mara Thompson
For Park Forest resident Yachiyl ‘Ya-Ya’ Swapsy, the storms that swept through Illinois this summer were more than a passing weather event. After yet another round of severe weather, she found herself facing significant damage to her home, spoiled food, unbearable heat, and seven days without power.
“A tree fell down and broke part of the roof in the back. So water was seeping into the house,” Ya-Ya said.
The damage was compounded by the loss of electricity.
“We lost power for seven days,” she said. “It was really hot at home because, of course, now the air conditioner isn’t working. And then we don’t have food because all the food in our fridge went bad.”
Eventually, the conditions became too difficult to manage at home.
“We just came to the shelter because we didn’t have electricity,” Ya-Ya said. “It just became overwhelming being in the dark all day.”
Ya-Ya’s experience is one of many unfolding across Illinois as communities have been hit by severe weather again and again this summer. For residents who are already trying to recover from one storm, another can bring new damage, new challenges, and a renewed sense of uncertainty.
Over the past several weeks, the Red Cross has had operations in Cook, Kendall, Ford, Lake, McLean and Will counties, with more than 155 Red Cross disaster workers providing comfort, care and support to people affected by the storms.
For Ya-Ya, coming to a Red Cross shelter provided more than a place to stay. It gave her a place where she felt cared for during a difficult time.
“The amount of help I received from the Red Cross is just heartwarming because everybody has been so hospitable, so caring, so nurturing, just checking on us, making sure we’re okay.”
She was especially moved to learn that many of the people caring for shelter residents were volunteers.
“To find out that most of the people working were volunteers, it was very inspiring and touching because for you to be volunteering your time and then still be so caring and helpful just means so much.”
That experience left a lasting impression on Ya-Ya. The care she received from Red Cross volunteers ultimately inspired her to look for ways to give back herself.
“I’m inspired and them helping us the way they do also makes me want to help others.”
Ya-Ya is one of many people who have found a safe place to stay as the Red Cross continues its response. To date, there have been more than 590 overnight shelter stays at Red Cross-operated shelters, while the Red Cross and its community partners have served more than 23,000 meals and snacks to people affected by the disaster.
The Red Cross response would not be possible without community partners willing to step forward when their neighbors need help. In Chicago Heights, Bethel Baptist Church and its Bethel Community Impact Center opened their doors, providing a place where the Red Cross could establish a shelter and care for residents impacted by the storms.
For Senior Pastor Lawrence Blackful Jr., saying yes was never really a question.
“The reason why it was an automatic yes is because first and foremost, the Southland of Chicago is home for me and particularly Chicago Heights,” Blackful said.
Blackful has spent much of his life serving the community, and when he sees a need, he believes in finding a way to meet it.
“Whenever I see a need, if there’s a way for me to help resolve that need or meet that need, I’m going to do that.”
For him, opening the doors of the community center was an extension of that mission.
“This is really the church work right here,” Blackful said. “This is what it’s about. Too often we get caught up in other things and lose focus of what the real message and where the real work is.”
That spirit of service became a shared effort. The Bethel Community Impact Center, Red Cross and Cook County Emergency Management teams worked together to make sure residents had what they needed.
“All of our teams have really come together to serve the families of the Southland and that does my heart good,” Blackful said.
For communities experiencing repeated severe weather, partnerships like this are critical. The Red Cross brings trained volunteers, resources and disaster expertise, while local organizations provide the trusted spaces and relationships that help make it possible to reach people where they are.
For Ya-Ya, that collaboration has made a difficult experience feel a little less overwhelming.
“It’s still a blessing either way, because I don’t have to worry about food scarcity, I don’t have to worry about where I am going to sleep or sleeping in the dark,” she said.
As Illinois communities continue to recover from repeated rounds of severe weather, the need remains great. But so does the strength of the communities coming together to help one another.
“I can’t say thank you enough to the American Red Cross for all that you all do,” Blackful said. “And however I can be an ambassador for the work of the American Red Cross. I’m here.”
For Ya-Ya, that hope remains central to how she looks ahead.
“I have a very optimistic outlook just because I’ve been through so much that I know no matter how bad it gets, there’s a rainbow at the end of the storm.”
Help people affected by disasters big and small, whenever and wherever they occur across the country. Visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a donation.
Support all the urgent humanitarian needs of the American Red Cross.
Find a drive and schedule a blood donation appointment today.
Your time and talent can make a real difference in people’s lives. Discover the role that's right for you and join us today!
