Before you even begin thinking about volunteering, ask yourself – Am I well enough to volunteer?
Your safety and limiting the spread of COVID-19 is everyone’s main priority. We encourage you to review and adhere to the recommendations on the Buncombe County readiness site on how best to avoid COVID-19 and what to do if you think you might have it.
The American Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that helps communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies. The mission of the American Red Cross is to alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies. The Western North Carolina Chapter serves a 16-county region.
COVID has not stopped service delivery, it has changed how we provide the service to clients. Disaster Action Team responses are being done virtually, with limited onsite presence. Disaster Action Team members are assessing needs with those impacted by home fires over the phone. We are also offering delivery of financial resources for lodging after a home fire with limited contact.
A Disaster Action Team (DAT) volunteer is a part of a local team that responds to local disasters including home fires and major storms to provide comfort, hope, and Red Cross services. DAT volunteers ease the difficulties of people unexpectedly overwhelmed by disasters. They are called on to engage with clients, first responders, and the public.
VIRTUAL VOLUNTEER: DAT Volunteers can choose to participate in virtual-only response from the comfort of their home. Volunteers follow up with those impacted by disasters via phone or computer to provide a “Good Hello” and complete a Client Intake Worksheet. During the response, volunteers provide compassion and resources like financial assistance for lodging to those displaced from their home. They may also provide community referrals and referrals to other Red Cross Services like Mental Health, Health Services, and Spiritual Care.
ON-THE-SCENE-VOLUNTEER: Depending on the situation, some volunteers may provide in-person service delivery. This could include contactless delivery of resources, opening and operating a shelter after a major disaster, or providing canteen to first responders during an emergency.
PROVIDE A “GOOD HELLO”: Whether volunteers assist virtually or on-the scene, Red Crossers must be adaptable, flexible, and provide a “Good Hello” – to those who have experienced a disaster – as they now become our clients in our care. Responders must be able to demonstrate the following qualities in their “Good Hello”:
- Care and Compassion
- Impartiality and Empathy
- Active listening
- Confidence to help on their “Road to Recovery"
TIME COMMITMENT: To ensure our communities have access to our services available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, we ask our DAT volunteers commit to being on-call at least 6-8 (6 hour) shifts per month using our flexible shift scheduling app
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- 18 years or older
- Must have basic computer skills and knowledge
- Have a valid driver's license and vehicle (unless interested in virtual-only response options)
- Access to computer/tablet/smartphone and good connectively internet for response
- A “self-starter” to complete required online training courses and attend monthly meetings
Hands On Asheville-Buncombe is not responsible for opportunities managed by partner agencies. If you are onsite at a volunteer opportunity and don't feel safety guidelines are being followed, please connect with onsite project organizers and if not addressed, please let us know by completing our Volunteer Experience Form.
