Red Cross - Cruz Roja
What is Red Cross - Cruz Roja?
Red Cross
The Red Cross program exists to provide compassionate care to those in need. Our volunteers have the exceptional opportunity to provide care through the following:
Community Outreach
We make it a priority to help our community in any way possible while making everyone's health and safety our number one goal.
Virtual service opportunities
We are implementing a handful of online service opportunities including:
- Missing Maps: We map vulnerable communities around the world to help first responders locate and deliver lifesaving aid.
- Disaster training: Over Zoom review disaster training materials together.
- Disaster recovery: Train to provide casework services remotely.
Biomedical Services
We encourage our volunteers to get involved with the Red Cross Blood Donation program.
Blood Donation
Blood Drives is a program that allows volunteers to assist donors before and after giving blood. Volunteers also help recruit new donors and advertise for upcoming drives.
Volunteer Services
Volunteers can help teach virtual EDGE Skill training courses.
Missing Maps Project
Missing Maps works to put the World's Vulnerable Communities on the Map.
Each year, disasters around the world kill nearly 100,000 and affect or displace 200 million people. Many of the places where these disasters occur are literally 'missing' from open and accessible maps and first responders lack the information to make valuable decisions regarding relief efforts. Missing Maps is an open, collaborative project in which you can help map areas where humanitarian organizations are trying to meet the needs of people at risk of disasters and crises.
Cruz Roja
The American Red Cross Hispanic Outreach Program (Cruz Roja) aims to teach, prepare, and assist the Hispanic community in the face of emergencies and disasters. We teach all Red Cross-certified materials in Spanish and English to interested community members.
We also participate in Home Fire Campaigns where we go door to door offering free installation of smoke detectors and teaching fire safety.
How do I get involved?
BECOME A BLOOD DONOR
You can sign up for your first blood donation appointment here. They are always held in the BYU Wilkinson Center.
BECOME A VOLUNTEER
Volunteer Description: Volunteers serve in various capacities and responsibilities may vary. We aim to teach two classes a month for Cruz Roja in the community. The week before each class there will be a training to prep the volunteers on what to teach. Watch for emails and Facebook updates for information about training meetings. Community classes will be held on the off-weeks at churches or community centers in Utah County. Volunteers usually carpool to the site together.
Volunteer Commitment: Come to our bi-monthly meetings held every 2nd & 4th Wednesday night at 6pm in the Wilkinson Student Center Room 3238.
Join our email list so you can hear about all of our service projects and events coming up!
MISSING MAPS PROJECT
If using your phone:
1.) Download the MapSwipe app here.
2.) Go through the quick tutorial about marking the maps with green, yellow, and red squares.
3.) Choose a project and start validating map data.
If using your laptop
1.) Go to Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team (HOT) Tasking Manager at openstreetmap.org and create a login.
2.) Go to tasks.hotosm.org and sign in using that same login you created on OpenStreetMap. Begin by exploring and selecting a project.
- When you are done mapping, please make sure to log your hours for the Red Cross program using the Y-Serve feature on the BYU app.
For more information than what is listed above, contact the program directors by email at byuredcross@byu.edu.
Contact Info
Serving with the Hispanic Outreach program with the Red Cross has been one of the highlights of my college career. Through volunteering with the program I learned first aid techniques and how to perform Hands Only CPR. I felt my abilities with the Spanish language improved dramatically while serving with this program. I really enjoyed working with the Latino Community of Utah County. It is really satisfying working with such a wonderful population, performing service that will make the community a safer place. Joining Cruz Roja was one of the best decisions I have made.
I'm glad to be a part of blood drives because BYU is the #1 institution in Utah for blood donations. Way to go, Cougars!
One of my favorite activities we did last year was help with a disaster shelter simulation at UVU's UCCU center. We were able to help prepare the community in case a disaster ever happens in the future in the area. We set up about 500 cots, checked families in, and helped direct them to preparedness workshops and a good meal. It was a huge event! I loved interacting with all the people who came and it was interesting to learn how a Red Cross shelter works!
My favorite activity last semester was when we taught a Spanish ward CPR. We had a lot of volunteers and ward members show up. We had good questions and discussions. Everyone was friendly and happy to be learning a life-saving skill. We also let each person practice CPR on dummies that we brought. After the class, a young man came up to me and another student and asked some health questions. We were able to answer his question and connect him with resources that could help. I love the Cruz Roja because it brings important information to people who may not receive it otherwise. I love serving the Latinx population and connecting with my community and my peers.
The first time I went into the community to teach CPR in Spanish, I was so nervous. I got up there and taught with my face flushed and I could barely breathe as I talked too fast. But the warm, friendly faces and attitudes of the people we were teaching was so encouraging, that I soon was laughing and smiling alongside them and we had such a good time.
When we went to a ward about a month ago and saw how excited they all were to learn about CPR and do it in their native Spanish language. Honestly also practicing with the members of Cruz Roja brought me a lot of joy because we were able to serve each other in that process.
I really enjoyed when we all met up and installed fire/smoke detectors in a Hispanic community, we went to south Jordan and then like missionary’s knocked doors and offered free installations. Not only was it helpful and fun, but the people were so nice to meet and chat with, there was just a good energy about it and so much smiling and laughing. I also enjoyed when we taught a YSA ward CPR and the bishop was cracking jokes and asking such good questions during the whole thing.