By: Maureen Kearney, American Red Cross Volunteer

Born and raised in Yakima, Washington, Hannah Brock was on a mission to find purpose and serve her community. She found an opportunity to do that through AmeriCorps and the American Red Cross.

"I was working in bars and restaurants, but the work was meaningless,” she said. “I wanted to be doing something useful and worthwhile.”

Hannah heard about AmeriCorps from a family member, and through AmeriCorps she met the American Red Cross. She joined the organization in September 2024, and has been hard at work making a difference ever since.

“She is rocking it!” says Michele Roth, Executive Director of the Central and Southeastern Washington Chapter of the American Red Cross Northwest Region.

Hannah has led several smoke alarm installation programs and enabled new volunteers to function as team members through education and training. She has also gone above and beyond to plug into her community – participating in parades and completing the Region’s spokesperson training.

Within her chapter, Hannah teaches in-home preparedness programs about fire prevention and safety to elementary school children. For her Capstone project of achievement with AmeriCorps, Hannah is focusing on bringing lifesaving safety preparedness programs offered by the Red Cross to those in transitional housing, as well as building partnerships with other non-profits in the area who focus on homelessness to help those in need find stable housing and shelters.

I asked Hannah why she chose to focus on Yakima's homeless population. "I've lived in Yakima all my life, and I've seen homelessness increase. I can look out my work window and see 10 people in the alley living on the street without proper food, clothing, and shelter. I also see people living on the streets ignored, unseen, as if they didn't exist." 

Hannah's training and work in disaster preparedness, smoke alarm installation, shelter supervision and CPR training aim to save lives. While Hannah's term with AmeriCorps ends July 21st, 2025, she hopes to extend it.

In her spare time, Hannah — a single parent, AmeriCorps volunteer, and full-time student — walks dogs at the Yakima Humane Society. When she finishes college, Hannah hopes to continue working with non-profits in IT and marketing in order to have a positive impact within her community. Thank you, Hannah!