AmeriCorp VISTA : Red Cross Ready Tennessee

In Tennessee, volunteers at 17 Red Cross chapters provide services to residents of 95 counties responding to local disasters such as fires, and larger-scale disasters, such as tornados and floods. In 53 of the 95 counties in Tennessee, particularly more rural and disadvantaged counties, there is an opportunity for the Red Cross to increase its community presence in order to best prepare communities for disasters before they strike. 

Therefore, Tennessee chapters of the American Red Cross and Americorps VISTA have collaborated to create Red Cross Ready Tennessee, a unique one-year national volunteer opportunity to build support in counties in need. VISTA is a national service program founded by President Kennedy in order to support community agencies in building capacity and ultimately bringing low-income individuals and communities out of poverty.  

The following counties will benefit from the project: Bledsoe, Bradley, Campbell, Carroll, carter, Chester, Claiborne, Clay, Cocke, Cumberland, Decatur, DeKalb, Dickson, Fentress, Giles, Greene, Grundy, Hamilton, Hancock, Hardeman, Hawkins, Henderson, Henry, Hickman, Humphries, Jefferson, Johnson, Lake, Lewis, Loudon, Macon, Marion, McMinn, McNairy, Meigs, Morgan, Overton, Perry, Polk, Putman, Rhea, Roane, Scott, Sequatchie, Smith, Trousdale, Unicoi, Van Buren, Wayne, Weakley, White, and Wilson 

The Red Cross seeks pro-active and independent community organizers who are passionate about serving underprivileged communities to perform the following roles: 

·         Recruit and train local volunteers in currently underserved areas

·         Facilitate emergency assistance to families in need after fires and other natural disasters

·         Coordinate emergency planning with local community and governmental agencies to make the country
          disaster-ready

Volunteers will receive all necessary Red Cross training as well as a VISTA living allowance, health benefits, and an the option of an end-of service Education Award or monetary Stipend in return for one year of full-time volunteer service, with no outside employment. 

For application information, please apply through the VISTA website and search for the Red Cross Ready Tennessee Project. VISTA application information can be found at http://www.americorps.gov/for_individuals/choose/vista.asp.

For further questions or application information, please contact Russelle Bradbury at bradburyR@nashvilleredcross.org. NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE