Since January, Jessica Houston has been an intern volunteer with the American Red Cross of the Indiana Region in our Central Chapter. She wanted to be in the community and understand its needs, adding “That’s something the Red Cross does; they actually go out and spend time with the community.”
While at the Red Cross, Jessica has worked with the youth emergency preparedness education program, giving 20 presentations to about 600 students in Muncie and Lafayette. At the end of April, Jessica deployed to support the Red Cross relief efforts in the aftermath of Tornadoes in Arkansas. During her three-week deployment, she assisted residents staying at the shelters.
Jessica recalled a particular story from a family that she met during her deployment, “they mentioned that they were only alive because they had gone to their laundry room, and they were watching how the roof of their house was lifted.” Jessica said that this and other experiences that she had during her time in Arkansas, made her feel grateful to be able to help those impacted by the devastating tornadoes.
Jessica is also a blood donor, which she does in memory of her sister who received 12 units of blood but sadly passed away. She wants to give back by donating the same amount of units of blood her sister received. Thank you, Jessica, for your dedication and support to our mission
If you would like to learn more about volunteering with the Red Cross, please visit redcross.org/volunteer.