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Four Teen SOS Team Members Serve on Local, District Boards

MIAMI (790 words) – Keys high school students hold three out of eight leadership positions available for the Greater Miami and Keys Chapter of the American Red Cross. Another college student serves on the American Red Cross Advisory Board in the Upper Keys. All four are members of the inaugural 4-H Seasons of Service (SOS) Team formed last year in a collaborative effort between Monroe Youth Challenge Program, 4-H University of Florida Extension Services, and the American Red Cross.

Sary García, Youth & Outreach Coordinator for the American Red Cross of the Greater Miami and the Keys Chapter said, “We offer youth a safe, educational, and fun environment in which to have rewarding volunteer experiences. We were most impressed with these student’s applications and look forward to seeing them succeed in volunteer service this year.”

Greenman was selected as the Disaster Services Youth Liaison. It is likely she will work with the most important and active service given by the chapter. Her responsibilities include organizing events for youth and children in coordination with Disaster Services and Community Education. After training, she is expected to teach others about how to stay safe before, during and after disasters and have the opportunity to train others in the clubs so they can, in turn, to train kids of all ages in the schools and community.

Sutter was selected as the International Services Youth Liaison. He anticipates working with staff members of International Services to set up events and classes for the youth. The most important duty of this position is working with the Youth International Humanitarian Law Program, to set up classes and instructor courses for the youth. Another important function of this position is the planning of events and other events where International Humanitarian issues are presented. Sutter has already attended two Red Cross certified IHL courses and made presentations at the Rotary sponsored Youth Ethics Initiative Conference in Miami earlier this year. Later this month, Sutter is scheduled to assist in presenting the course, Humanity in the Midst of War at the state-wide event 4-H Congress at the University of Florida in Gainesville which is a prestigious opportunity.

Halpner was selected as the Health, Safety, and Community Services Liaison. She will be expected to help educate others about CPR, First Aid, Water Safety, HIV/AIDS, and many other life saving services. She plans to set up events for Youth Corps by organizing and planning health & safety training for the clubs. In this position she is given the chance to take part and become involved in events that give back to the community and plan community service events were clubs share health & safety information with others in the schools and community.

Michael is a certified American Red Cross Water Safety and CPR, First Aid instructor. She has provided private and group classes since she was a junior in high school. She was recently selected to serve as a volunteer on the local Red Cross Advisory Board and is also the SOS Team club secretary.

Greenman, Sutter, and Halpner are now part of the Greater Miami and the Keys Chapter of the Red Cross Youth Leadership Team. All Youth Leadership Team members are responsible for working together to plan for Youth Corps events and serve area Red Cross Clubs as well as offer ongoing support and service to the SOS Team. Sunny Booker, Monroe Youth Challenge Program Administrator and Monroe County District Safe School Coordinator, said, “The Red Cross has chosen our county’s finest. We’re proud of their selection to serve on the district and local boards. These students are living examples of MYCP’s motto to ‘Be the Change.’”

The goal of Red Cross Youth Services is to provide young people with meaningful opportunities for education, training, and community services so they remain a part of the Red Cross family throughout their lives. Youth are not only the volunteers and leaders of the future but are also capable volunteers and leaders of today. Students can initiate a Red Cross Club at their school, college campus or youth organization. Major requirements are to identify a person (usually a teacher) to sponsor the club, get training from the Program Coordinator, adhere to Red Cross policies and procedures, and provide regular reporting of your activities.

Monroe Youth Challenge Program is a project of the Monroe County Education Foundation to foster acceptance, respect, and success in the youth of Monroe County. For more information call MYCP District Prevention Coordinator Michele Sutter at (305) 852-1664 or www.keysschools.com. For Red Cross Information contact Jaclyn Luis at 305-644-1200 x 122, LuisJac@usa.redcross.org or visit http://www.miamiredcross.org/miami-red-cross-youth-clubs.shtml