Aliza Gevirtz has joined American Red Cross as the disaster program manager for the Northern SC chapter, managing disaster response operations in Rock Hill and surrounding counties.

As disaster program manager, Gevirtz manages the implementation of disaster preparedness, response and recovery programs. She works closely with disaster leadership volunteers in each of the disaster cycle support areas to recruit and engage volunteers who want to help their community. She will be working closely with government and community partners on local preparation, response and recovery initiatives.

Gevirtz, a native of Chicago, comes to the American Red Cross with over a decade of nonprofit administration and volunteer management experience.  She has a BA in communications from California State University, Northridge and an MA in leadership from Augsburg College.  She has experience working in nonprofits in Minnesota, including Boys & Girls Club, Girl Scouts, and Community Emergency Assistance Programs, and was a volunteer for Monroe Road Advocates in Charlotte.

“Volunteers are heroes and heroines,” she said. “I am in awe of their devotion and commitment. I’ve never felt so aligned with the mission and values of an organization as I do with the Red Cross.”

At the Red Cross, there is no such thing as a small disaster. In every case, it is the Red Cross’ mission to help people affected by disaster meet their emergency needs, including shelter, food, clothing and health and mental health services. Disaster volunteers serve in a number of capacities, including disaster action team member, disaster assessment, caseworker, mass care feeding, emergency response vehicle driver, shelter manager/staff, disaster health services and disaster mental health.

For more information about becoming a Red Cross volunteer, or to make a financial contribution to Red Cross, call 803-329-6575 or visitwww.redcross.org/SC.