RedCrossPhillyBlog

Category: Red Cross House

  • Red Cross House – the center for disaster recovery – celebrates 20 years in Philadelphia

    By Alana Mauger

    Red Cross House exterior. Photo by Konrad Jones/American Red Cross

    Twenty years ago this April, the Red Cross House opened its doors in University City, providing a safe, comfortable place where families can stay together following a disaster. Over that time, nearly 6,000 families from Philadelphia and surrounding communities have started their path to recovery with the American Red Cross.

    “Those 6,000 families experienced what is probably the hardest day of their lives” said Regional Red Cross CEO Guy Triano during a Red Cross House anniversary celebration on April 18th. “They’ve just lost nearly everything in a home fire and probably didn’t know where to turn. The Red Cross House represents hope.”

    This unique center for disaster recovery provides a safe and comfortable place where families can stay together after a disaster. The Red Cross House is the only facility of its kind in the country. It features 26 bedroom suites, each with its own bathroom and kitchenette. Clients get breakfast, lunch and dinner prepared in an on-site commercial kitchen and are assigned a caseworker that supports them during and after their stay.

    “We served nearly a million meals during those 20 years,” said Triano. “More than 17,500 disaster survivors have met with a Red Cross caseworker on their road to recovery.”

    The Red Cross House is funded exclusively through donations from individuals and corporations and operates 24/7, 365 days-a-year thanks to the dedication of Red Cross staff and volunteers. The facility was fully renovated during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic when it was not open to clients.

    Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney at the Red Cross House 20th Anniversary celebration on April 18, 2023. Photo by Konrad Jones/American Red Cross

    Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney was among the dignitaries who joined Red Cross volunteers and staff for the 20th anniversary celebration last week. Kenney, whose father is a retired battalion chief, holds great empathy for those impacted by home fires.

    He shared, “Residential fires in rowhouse neighborhoods are really, really dangerous because they often cause damage to houses on either side of them. When you lose everything and you lose a loved one, it’s horrible. You lose all your possessions. It’s so disconcerting, so upsetting. It’s wonderful that this place is here – that the volunteers and staff are here.”

    Pennsylvania Senator Vincent Hughes and Philadelphia Council Member Jamie Gauthier joined Mayor Kenney in celebrating the Red Cross House anniversary.

    “I remember last year going out to one of my neighborhoods in the southwest, and there was a fire in an apartment complex. People were completely displaced,” Gauthier recalled. “I saw the look of relief in people’s eyes when the Red Cross volunteers and staff came to the scene. And that’s because you all are providing people with compassion in some of their worst moments.”

    Distinguished guests at the Red Cross House 20th Anniversary celebration on April 18, 2023. From left: Philadelphia Fire Department Captain Derek Bowmer, Philadelphia Deputy Fire Commissioner Jeffrey Thompson, Wawa Inc. Senior Manager of Media Relations Lori Bruce, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney, Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania Region CEO Guy Triano, Red Cross Philadelphia Chapter Board Chair Larry Pockers, Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management Director Dominick Mireles, FEMA Region III Administrator Mary Ann Tierney, Philadelphia Council Member Jamie Gauthier and Pennsylvania Senator Vincent Hughes. Photo by Konrad Jones/American Red Cross.

    Additional attendees included Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management Director Dominick Mireles, FEMA Region III Administrator Mary Ann Tierney, Deputy Fire Commissioner Jeffrey Thompson and Philadelphia Fire Department Captain Derek Bowmer.

    Lori Bruce and Elizabeth Simeone were also at the event representing long-time Red Cross corporate partner Wawa, Inc. and the Wawa Foundation.

    “We’re proud to support the Red Cross House since its inception, and we really, truly appreciate everything that you all do,” said Bruce, senior manager of media relations for Wawa, Inc. “We’re grateful for the for the vital role that you all play in responding, supporting and caring for those impacted by disasters. We recognize Philadelphia as our hometown, and to have a resource that’s available right here in our community that’s available to our neighbors shows just how much we really bring brotherly love to this area.”

    The celebration wrapped up with a special cake and tours of the facility. To learn more about the Red Cross House, visit our website. Check out our Flickr album for event photos.

    Red Cross Philadelphia Board Member Lisa Stokes and Pennsylvania Senator Vincent Hughes cut the ceremonial cake after the program. Lisa and her family were former clients at the Red Cross House years ago after they experienced a home fire. Photo by Konrad Jones/American Red Cross

  • Mission Moment: Red Cross House offers refuge after devastating fire

    By Jenny Farley

    Merrill Thomas. Photo by Jenny Farley/American Red Cross

    Sitting in class, Merrill Thomas got a call from his neighbor.

    “Get out of the house!” the caller screamed. He and his neighbors had looked out for each other for years.

    “They told me the house was on fire.”

    Merrill’s neighbors had frantically banged on his door. They thought he was inside when the first fire started in the back of the house, a building shared by three families.

    By the time he rushed home, a second fire had ignited directly over his apartment. “I could see the flames shooting up. That was horrific,” he said.

    After the fires spread throughout the property and firefighters put out the flames, little was left. Merrill said he was able to salvage a few clothes.

    “Fires are merciless. What was not burned was saturated with water or foam.”

    Before he had time to ponder what to do next, the American Red Cross Disaster Action Team had arrived. He marveled at how fast they got there. With compassion, the Red Cross provided Merrill a lifeline by offering a safe place to go.

    “You have to have a heart for the people and you have to be tough enough to stand when everything else is gone. Stand with folks who are at the edge of a precipice looking in and saying ‘No. No. You won’t hit bottom.’”

    The Red Cross House in Philadelphia is the only one of its kind in the country. In an average year, it provides more than 300 families with a home away from home when home is no longer standing. It’s a free place to recuperate while planning how to move forward after losing so much.

    “How can you convince someone they won’t crash and burn and that you can rebuild? That’s what these people did for me. ‘We’re sorry for your loss. You’re alive and we have a place for you.’”

    Merrill will never forget the enthusiastic reception and the soothing atmosphere he got at the Red Cross House. Hot meals. A full bath. A comfortable bed.

    “From the moment I hit the door they were warm and welcoming. They showed empathy and not pity. And that changed everything.”

    Merrill stayed at the Red Cross House for 27 days.

    “When you are coming from an environment where you have lost everything. Wow. Then you are able to take a shower. Wow.”

    He remembered creature comforts like soap, toothbrushes, towels and washcloths.

    “For me, it was like reclaiming me.”

    The comforts of home left an impression but the Red Cross House staff proved unforgettable.

    “They were loving and warm. ‘Hello, Mr. Thomas, how are you? Good to see you today.’ It was genuine warmth and caring.”

    Merrill said caseworkers at the Red Cross House presented options and strategies about how to start over. When it was time to go, there were pictures and hugs.

    “I was leaving family,” he said.

    Merrill works near the Red Cross House. When he drives by it’s not the fire he remembers. It’s the people who helped him.

    “It’s like beauty out of ashes.”

    Turns out this story has a twist. Years ago, Merrill had experiences with the Red Cross as a volunteer, responding to disasters like Hurricane Katrina.

    “I never thought that I would be serviced by them.”

    Now Merrill wants to volunteer with the Red Cross again, so he can give to others what was given to him.

    “Their message. We can get through this.”

    The Red Cross responds to more than 60,000 disasters each year and most of those are home fires. To learn more about the work of the Red Cross, visit redcross.org.

  • Mission Moment: Christmas comes to the Red Cross House for McClary family

    By Alana Mauger

    Shantal and Robert McClary help children Sarah, Joseph and RJ decorate Christmas cookies at the Red Cross House holiday party on Dec. 21. Photo by Dianne Heard/American Red Cross

    Christmas looked a little different this year than how Shantel McClary pictured it. She didn’t expect a home fire to destroy her family’s apartment – along with all the gifts she worked extra hard to buy for her children.

    “This year, we worked really hard, were in a good place to give the kids a special Christmas. Now it’s all gone,” she said.

    Three families, including Shantel’s, were displaced when an afternoon fire destroyed their home in Darby, Pennsylvania on Dec. 15. American Red Cross Disaster Action Team volunteers responded to the scene to provide comfort and care to those impacted. Shantel’s family, which includes her husband Robert and children Savannah (age 9), Joseph (age 6) RJ (age 4) and Sarah (age 3), moved into the Red Cross House that night.

    The Red Cross House is a one-of-a-kind disaster recovery center in West Philadelphia that provides support to clients in a safe and comfortable environment. Families get their own room and key with a bathroom and three meals per day while they develop a recovery plan with a Red Cross caseworker.

    Despite the tragedy of losing their home, the McClary family was able to celebrate Christmas, thanks to the generosity of Red Cross volunteers and staff. The Red Cross House held a Christmas party on Dec. 21 for children and families who stayed there over the past few years – and for families currently living there. The party included a meal, cookie decorating, photos with Santa, appearances by Red Cross mascots Fred Cross and Buddy the Blood Drop, a visit from the Philadelphia Fire Department and tours of the fire truck and gifts. The joy on the children’s faces lifted everyone’s spirits.

    Sarah McClary with Santa at the Red Cross House holiday party on Dec. 21. Photo by Dianne Heard/American Red Cross

    With the New Year on the horizon, Shantal and Robert are looking for a new place to live, ideally in Darby so their children won’t have to switch schools. In the meantime, Shantel has been taking Savannah and Joseph to and from school via public transportation so they don’t miss a beat.  The Red Cross House has enabled the McClary family to take steps toward their recovery.

    “It hasn’t been easy, but we’ll get through,” Shantal said.

  • Mission Moment: Calling the Red Cross House ‘home’ after fire

    By Dave Skutnik

    Bruce Hearns, pictured in front of Philadelphia’s Red Cross House in early May, where he and his family stayed after a fire in their West Oak Lane home in late April. Photo by Dave Skutnik/American Red Cross.

    It was a phone call Bruce Hearns never thought he’d get. His Philadelphia home, in the city’s West Oak Lane section, was on fire.

    Fortunately, nobody was home at the of the time of the fire, which started in a vacant home next door and spread to Bruce’s.

    But the damage was done, and Bruce, his wife and their four children would have to stay someplace else. “It was traumatizing,” recalled Hearns.

    That’s where the American Red Cross stepped in. Volunteers with the Red Cross Disaster Action Team responded to the scene of the fire, meeting with Bruce to provide care and comfort to he and his family. They also talked to determine what kind of help his family would need. Hearns had no idea the Red Cross did this. “The Red Cross is very beneficial to the City of Philadelphia,” said Hearns.

    Together, Bruce and Red Cross volunteers determined the best place for the Hearns family would be Philadelphia’s Red Cross House. It’s a comfortable place where families stay together in their own hotel-style room following a disaster like a home fire or flood.

    The Red Cross House also provides three meals each day, access to disaster recovery resources, emotional support and more following the disaster.

    The Hearns family called the Red Cross House home for about three weeks while repairs were underway on their own home. “Red Cross is the best. They offer the right care,” said Hearns. On the family’s last day at the Red Cross House, Hearns said, “Our family definitely appreciates you. We’re so grateful for the assistance provided.”

  • Mission Moment: Red Cross House provides support and joy after a disaster

    By Terri Seydel

    Yasmeen Atkerson and her daughter Zuryi on Easter at the Red Cross House. Photo by Mary Noll/American Red Cross

    A home fire on April 9th could have been a life-altering day for Yasmeen Atkerson and her family. Thanks to working smoke detectors, alert family members, and the quick work of Philadelphia Firefighters, her family escaped safely.

    That evening as she was struggling to find hotel accommodations, Yasmeen received a call from the American Red Cross asking what she needed. She explained that she needed to find housing for herself, her 6-year-old daughter, her disabled mother, and her significant other.

    Fortunately, there was availability at the Red Cross House in Philadelphia. This facility is a one-of-a-kind disaster recovery space in America that offers housing, basic needs, and support to disaster victims. The goal of the Red Cross house is to provide resources in a safe and comfortable environment while victims develop a recovery plan in the aftermath of a disaster.

    Yasmeen’s family stayed at the Red Cross House for ten days, including the Easter holiday. While Yasmeen appreciates the shelter’s meals and other resources, she is especially thankful to the Red Cross volunteers for making the Easter holiday special for her daughter by providing an Easter basket and taking the time to color eggs with her.

    Yasmeen and her family are glad to be back in their home now but will always remember the Red Cross house.  The thoughtfulness of the volunteers added cheer to an otherwise stressful situation and the support helped them to navigate disaster recovery planning.  

    Families like Yasmeen’s are the inspiration for the Red Cross House which serves more than 300 families per year. Each family is assigned a caseworker to help them create and implement a recovery plan while also providing basic needs such as meals, access to medical help, and computers. Additionally, special attention is given to children with a playroom, a playground, and stuffed animals to call their own.

    Volunteers and donors are the heart of what makes the Red Cross House possible. You can learn more about the Red Cross house HERE.

  • Red Cross Camp Save-a-Life Educates Children on Disaster Preparedness

    Written by Marquee Brown

    Many people do not know the proper procedures for managing a crisis, which can result in injuries or death. The Red Cross of Eastern Pennsylvania sponsors Camp Save-A-Life each summer to teach kids ages 10 to 14 the proper way to handle disasters. The camp runs for seven weeks with a new group of campers every week. Participants become certified in CPR and First Aid while having fun and making new friends.

    DSC_0759

    The children were shy upon arrival the first day. That was short lived once the counselors started group games to get the campers comfortable. By lunchtime, the kids were formed into groups and conversing as though they’ve known each other for years. The camp counselors were engaged and passionate as well. Many have been leading the camp for years. When asked why they kept returning, every answer was the same- for the children, they enjoy watching them develop skills and get involved in activities. Each counselor had a story about the emotional impact of seeing kids take on new responsibilities.

    The camp creates a fun and competitive environment by dividing the kids into groups of six, with relevant names like lightning, hurricane, fire, tornado, flood and earthquake. They even have a student of the week who receives a disaster preparedness backpack full of emergency tools on the last day of the program.

    IMG_1502On the first day, the children were introduced to firemen of the Philadelphia Fire Department and taught how to use the hose on a fire truck. They are reminded to have an escape plan in case of fire at home.

    Over the course of the week, the children were taught different kinds of disaster preparedness. Lesson modules included Military 101, Conflict Resolution, CPR, Disaster Preparedness, and First Aid. According to a study by the US Department of Homeland Security, sixty percent of Americans have not practiced what to do in the event of a disaster. The American Heart Association found that less than twenty percent of Americans are equipped to perform CPR in emergency situations. One can only imagine the number of injuries and lives that could be saved if everyone was properly informed. Camp Save-a-Life spreads this knowledge to youth who can take the lead in informing their friends and families.

    For the camper, their parents and the camp counselors, being a part of the Save-a-Life program is an experience that is both fun and practical.

  • Kids Learn to be Red Cross Ready at Camp Save-a-Life

    Written by Marquee Brown

    Many people do not know the proper procedures for managing a crisis, which can result in injuries or death. The Red Cross of Eastern Pennsylvania sponsors Camp Save-A-Life each summer to teach kids ages 10 to 14 the proper way to handle disasters. The camp runs for seven weeks with a new group of campers every week. Participants become certified in CPR and First Aid while having fun and making new friends.

    DSC_0759

    The children were shy upon arrival the first day. That was short lived once the counselors started group games to get the campers comfortable. By lunchtime, the kids were formed into groups and conversing as though they’ve known each other for years. The camp counselors were engaged and passionate as well. Many have been leading the camp for years. When asked why they kept returning, every answer was the same- for the children, they enjoy watching them develop skills and get involved in activities. Each counselor had a story about the emotional impact of seeing kids take on new responsibilities.

    The camp creates a fun and competitive environment by dividing the kids into groups of six, with relevant names like lightning, hurricane, fire, tornado, flood and earthquake. They even have a student of the week who receives a disaster preparedness backpack full of emergency tools on the last day of the program.

    IMG_1502On the first day, the children were introduced to firemen of the Philadelphia Fire Department and taught how to use the hose on a fire truck. They are reminded to have an escape plan in case of fire at home.

    Over the course of the week, the children were taught different kinds of disaster preparedness. Lesson modules included Military 101, Conflict Resolution, CPR, Disaster Preparedness, and First Aid. According to a study by the US Department of Homeland Security, sixty percent of Americans have not practiced what to do in the event of a disaster. The American Heart Association found that less than twenty percent of Americans are equipped to perform CPR in emergency situations. One can only imagine the number of injuries and lives that could be saved if everyone was properly informed. Camp Save-a-Life spreads this knowledge to youth who can take the lead in informing their friends and families.

    For the camper, their parents and the camp counselors, being a part of the Save-a-Life program is an experience that is both fun and practical.

  • Red Cross House Becomes Home For Disaster Victims

    I am currently serving as an AmeriCorps member at the American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania.  Our year of service is quickly coming to a close and we are already in our last rotations. I will be finishing out my year with the communications department, but I would like to use this blog post to reflect on my rotation at Red Cross House.  Going in I knew very little about what my days would look like.  I knew the statistics, but what I didn’t know was all the work that goes on over there. The caseworkers spend many hours helping residents who are staying at Red Cross House following a disaster find assistance and residents spend many hours searching for a new place to live.

    Anyone who has looked for an apartment or house knows how stressful the process is, but imagine adding that to the stress of just having lost your home and belongings. When families first enter Red Cross House it is not uncommon for them to be overwhelmed. They have a daunting journey ahead of them. Soon, typically the day after they enter, they will sit down with their caseworker.  The trained caseworkers go over what the family lost, what their recovery plans are, and what the next steps should be.  After this first meeting you often can see that the family is visibly more relaxed, because they now at least have an idea of what to do to get back into a home.  The road ahead is still difficult, but they have a sense of control again.rco_blog_img_RCHDESK.jpg

    Residents also take classes while staying at Red Cross House.  Some classes offer practical knowledge, such as fire safety and financial literacy, while other activities are ways for the residents to have fun and decompress, such as yoga class or getting a free haircut. None of these classes would happen without our volunteers and financial supporters. In fact, Red Cross House would not run smoothly without the many volunteers who help at the front desk, serve lunch, teach classes, and offer counseling services, or the financial support to help keep the place looking nice.

    One of the things about Red Cross House that stands out to me the most is how quickly residents form bonds with each other. After all, no one understands what you’re going through better than the people staying down the hall. It was not uncommon to see people sit down at lunch together and start talking about what had brought them to the house.  Soon you would see them checking in on each other, and sometimes even helping each other look for a new place to live. I believe that the sense of community is one of the first things that helps people on their road to recovery, because they are reminded that they are not alone, and they see others who were in the same place as them moving back into a home.

    Working at Red Cross House showed me how resilient the people of Philadelphia are.  All of the residents staying there were going through a very challenging period, but they all continued to move forward and do what needed to be done to get them back into a forever home. ​In the meantime, Red Cross House stands ready to act as home whenever needed.

    Learn more about Red Cross House.

    – Submitted by Megan Wood, AmeriCorps NPRC Member