Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands. Networking Contact \ Volunteer Opportunity. 9/28/17. ARC. Disaster Mental Health. Disaster Cycle Services

BEMA International Members (U.S.):

On Thursday, September 28, 2017 I had the unique pleasure of a tour of the American Red Cross (ARC) Operations Center, Arlington, Virginia to discuss community engagement for both Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Island Territories of the U.S.

Let’s be honest the ARC is fighting to correct images from the housing issues associated with Haiti, and organizational structure for diversity & inclusion.  Workers on the front-line, and in the background are still working diligently to provide support and adhere to its’ mission to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergency by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors. 

On a local level ARC performs outstandingly.  All organizations are not perfect.  When change is necessary to complete the mission, change occurs from top-down, which has not occurred since events of Haiti housing issue that has left a stain on its mission.

Volunteer for ARC Op Center

BEMA International has been asked to provide a volunteer to work in their operations center in Virginia one, two, or three-days a week to assist with coordination efforts in Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. If interested please reply to this message of your interest.  You will have the support of myself and other members of BEMA International.  You will be in contact with our members on the ground in the Virgin Islands and others.

ARC Disaster Mental Health.  Disaster Cycle Services

For members gathering information, and organizing to address disaster trauma, psychological first-aid assistance, and in search of volunteers please utilize ARC resources for volunteers in this area for both national and international assistance.                J. Christie Rodgers                MSW, LICSW                Senior Associate                                   National Headquarters                Disaster Mental Health                                        8550 Arlington Blvd                Disaster Cycle Services                                         Fairfax, Virginia 2031                Christie.Rodgers@redcross.org                             Tel:  202-303-5754 SEARCH our web\blog page (www.blackemergmanagersassociation.org) for additional information on Disaster Trauma.   Keyword search:  ‘trauma’  Material available from 2011 to present

CDS

Charles D. Sharp Chief Executive Officer Black Emergency Managers Association            International
1231  Good Hope Road  S.E.
Washington, D.C.  20020
Office:   202-618-9097
bEMA International

     

“Our lives are not our own. We are bound to others, past and present, and by each crime and every kindness, we birth our future.” ¯ David Mitchell, Cloud Atlas

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