On July 27th we had coordinators Thomas Fairley and Melissa Ehrhardt come to the campus to talk with staff about their work with The American Red Cross and their new Community Adaptation Program.
The American Red Cross provides support for those suffering from disaster and seeks to prevent these issues where possible. The organization covers many needs and goes beyond treating the symptoms of suffering by incorporating education as well. With a legacy spanning over a century, the American Red Cross serves as a symbol of unity, offering disaster relief, blood donation services, health and safety training, and support to military families.
In the face of an escalating climate crisis, The American Red Cross has taken on a pivotal role in supporting families throughout the nation grappling with the aftermath of increasingly frequent and severe disasters. In the year 2021, over 40% of Americans were residing in counties that had been struck by climate-related calamities, showing the urgent need for comprehensive for these areas. Over the past decade, an alarming 8.5 million individuals have been uprooted from their homes due to disasters, underscoring the magnitude of the challenge at hand.
As the frequency and intensity of crises mount, The American Red Cross saw a need to address these problems in a new way. The Community Adaptation Program aims to address the multifaceted impact of climate-related disasters on vulnerable populations. This program takes a more complex approach by working with local nonprofit organizations and providing support. This approach places local organizations that understand their community at the forefront, rather than acting in a way that may not comprehend the situation or the needs of the people being helped. By harnessing innovation, cooperation, and collective action, The American Red Cross strives to navigate the frontlines of the climate crisis, creating resilient communities and offering a lifeline of support to those who need it most.
This program is of unique interest to our team not only because it holds many collaborative opportunities for the organizations here, but because it shows another method of supporting nonprofit efforts. These methods are about as varied as the missions they support. On a previous project assisting with construction of a school, The American Red Cross team found that a key issue that the project faced was finding the necessary building supplies. In that case, the Community Adaptation Program assisted in the procurement of lumber. As the attendees for the event learned more about the program and how it might benefit their own organizations, there was an excitement in the room and no shortage of questions.
By placing local nonprofit organizations at the helm, the American Red Cross showcases a profound understanding of the importance of tailored, community-driven interventions. The Community Adaptation Program, with its ability to bridge gaps and forge connections, reiterates the power of compassion and collaboration.
The staff at Glasser/Schoenbaum have done a great job of connecting the many organizations on campus and creating a space that sparks collaboration. This sense of community extends to staff and clients alike, helping to break down barriers and leading to innovative ways to serve the community as a whole.
Real estate is one of the greatest costs in a business budget. Our partnership with The Glasser/Schoenbaum Human Services Center allows more money to go towards our mission. And what better place to house our office than on a campus with nineteen other outreach agencies.
As a small organization with a staff of two, employee safety was a big consideration when we were looking for office space. We did not want our employees to be in a place where they were alone. Being on the GSHSC campus has been great because there is a whole community of like-minded professionals.
