Before becoming a Disaster Program Specialist for the American Red Cross New Jersey Region, Johan Reyes was a Red Cross volunteer.
She joined in December of 2015, supporting blood services, but wanted to do more, so she volunteered with our Services to the Armed Forces Division to support military families and became a disaster volunteer to support people affected by them in shelters.
Seven years later, her passion for the mission still runs deep as she serves her region as a Red Cross employee.
"In my role, I try to connect with other organizations that can help us, that can connect with the people we serve. During disasters, we come across a lot of undocumented people. They're scared and don't know a lot about this country. Back home, their Red Cross societies may be intertwined with the government, so they're afraid. But to have someone that looks like me be there in front of them, speaking their language, gives them comfort. I explain to them, we're not the government. You're safe and it's okay to receive funds, food and clothing from us."
Johan has not only used her skills to help people affected by home fires and other crises in New Jersey, but also has deployed numerous times to help people affected by hurricanes, wildfires and more in other states. Most notably, five years ago, she was assigned to help comfort and care for Puerto Rican evacuees on a humanitarian flight after their homes were destroyed by Hurricane Maria.
“Emotions were running high and the airline staff were not prepared to deal with that. The airline reached out to the American Red Cross and I raised my hand to help. We are trained to deal with certain things like people's emotions and finding ways to connect with them in a manner that makes them feel comfortable," Johan said.
Johan also serves as a Spanish spokesperson in New Jersey, sharing the Red Cross mission and stories of the people we help with Hispanic media outlets.
"I was born in Colombia and lived for some time in Venezuela before coming to America. So when talking to Spanish speakers, there are some things that Hispanics have that only we will understand like cultural dynamics. I know firsthand as an immigrant what it means when you're new to a country. It is important for me to serve people with that lens. To be able to emphasize and relate to the experience of being unfamiliar with a new home, and assist them with compassion in their time of need.”
Helping people in need doesn’t ever stop for Johan. In fact, she’s in Portland, Oregon, right now, supporting people affected by devastating wildfires.
By Rebecca Torriani Marquez / American Red Cross