By: Airik Myers

When Wesley D. Clarillos first encountered the Red Cross, it wasn’t as a volunteer—it was as someone in need.

After his family’s home was destroyed in a fire, Red Cross volunteers showed up with more than just supplies. “They didn’t just offer us help—they offered us humanity,” Wesley recalls. “That moment stuck with me.”

Years later, after the passing of his mother, that memory fueled a desire to serve others. “The kind of support we got during that fire—that’s what I wanted to give back. I didn’t want to just watch from the sidelines—I wanted to be part of the response.”

Today, Wesley is a Disaster Action Team Supervisor, responding to everything from house fires to large-scale floods. He’s also part of his local Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and works as an ICU travel nurse.

“For me, the most fulfilling part is connecting with people when they need someone most,” he says. “Whether it’s a patient in the ICU or a family standing outside their burned home, your presence makes a real difference.”

Wesley also has his sights set on leadership. “I want to keep responding, but I’d also like to move into a manager role one day,” he explains. “I’ve had mentors who showed me the power of clarity, empathy, and purpose. I want to build teams where people feel supported and know they’re part of a mission.”

As a Latino volunteer, Wesley is passionate about making disaster response more inclusive. With Latinos representing only 12% of Red Cross volunteers, he is training to become a Latino Ambassador.

“Being bilingual helps, but being bicultural matters just as much,” he says. “I understand the nuances, the fears, the mistrust, and I want to bridge those gaps. Latino communities shouldn’t just be helped after a disaster—we need to be prepared before one even strikes.”

For Wesley, volunteering has been just as transformative for him as it has been for those he serves. “People think volunteering is about giving—but honestly, I’ve gained so much,” he says. “It’s not always easy, but it’s real. It’s human. And it’s worth it. If even one person feels a little better because I showed up, then I’ve done what I came to do.