SDVC - Red Cross of San Diego

The San Diego Veterans Coalition salutes the Red Cross of San Diego and Imperial Counties, Serving Those Who Served!

In San Diego, and beyond, the American Red Cross helps members of the military, veterans and their families prepare for, cope with, and respond to the challenges of military service. Each year, the American Red Cross of San Diego and Imperial Counties proudly provides thousands of services to the local military and veteran community through Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces.

From the First Day of Enlistment, service members and their families are eligible for Red Cross assistance, including:

Emergency Services: The Red Cross delivers verified messages during emergencies at home, and provides access to financial assistance and resources. The American Red Cross Hero Care Center is available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with two options for requesting assistance: online and by phone. For more information, visit redcross.org herocarenetwork. To speak to a Red Cross Emergency Communications Specialist call: 1-877-272-7337.

Information and Referral Services: The Red Cross offers confidential services to all members of the military, veterans, and their families by connecting them with local, state and national resources through its network of chapters in communities across the United States and offices on military installations worldwide.

Local Red Cross offices develop and maintain relationships with key community partners. Military families rely on the Red Cross to help them identify their needs and connect them to the most appropriate resources. This key service ranges from responding to emergency needs for food, clothing, and shelter, referrals to counseling services (e.g., financial, legal, mental health), respite care for caregivers, and other resources that meet the unique needs of local military members, veterans and their families. Military and Veteran Caregiver Network: The Military and Veteran Caregiver Network (MVCN) offers peerbased support and services to connect those providing care to service members and veterans living with wounds, illnesses, injuries and/or aging.

For general information on the MVCN, email info.mvcn@redcross.org. More information can also be found on Facebook at facebook.com/MilVetCaregiver, Twitter at @MilVetCaregiver and Instagram: @milvetcaregivernetwork

VA Hospital Programs: Red Cross volunteers work in military hospitals and clinic programs to provide comfort, build morale and enhance therapy programs.

Veterans Services: The Red Cross offers confidential services to all veterans and their families by connecting them with local, state and national resources through our network of chapters in communities across the United States and offices on military installations worldwide. The American Red Cross of San Diego and Imperial Counties develops and maintains relationships with key community partners. Veterans and their families rely on the Red Cross to help them identify their needs and connect them to the most appropriate resources. These vital services range from responding to emergency needs for food, clothing, and shelter, referrals to counseling services (e.g., financial, legal, jobs, mental health), information on veterans cemeteries and burial benefits, and other resources that meet the unique needs of local veterans and their families.

Mind-Body Workshops: Mind-Body workshops help participants learn healing techniques using MindBody skills. Mind-Body Workshops offer an alternative method of healing that engages both the mind and body to address common stress reactions that occur within military families and communities.

Get to Know Us Before You Need Us: The Red Cross assures military families that help is always available, providing important information at pre-deployment briefings and other outreach events. Through the Red Cross ‘Get To Know Us Before You Need Us’ program, the Red Cross meets with enlistees and their families to share how services can help before, during and after deployment.

Coping with Deployments: Whether a family is facing its first deployment or the next of many, the Red Cross has developed workshops, information and support services to help military families with the practical and emotional challenges of deployments and extended periods of separation.

Reconnection Workshops: Reconnection Workshops enhance the likelihood of positive reconnections among family members and successful reengagement of service members and veterans in civilian life. Whether you or a family member have recently entered the military or you are a long-time veteran, navigating the many transitions connected with military and veteran service can be hard. Reconnection Workshops aim to ease the stress that comes with these changes.

This free, confidential Red Cross program offers effective ways to work through challenges, improve wellbeing and build skills through small-group discussion and hands-on activities. Workshops help improve connections at home, at work and within communities. We invite active duty service members, members of the Reserves and National Guard, veterans and military families to participate. To learn more about Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces, visit www.redcross.org/military. To access any of these services through the Hero Care Network, visit www.redcross.org/military, download the Hero Care app by texting GETHEROCARE to 90999, or call a Hero Care specialist at 877-272-7337.

You can also become a Service to the Armed Forces volunteer and help the Red Cross fulfill its mission.

Visit www.redcross.org/volunteer to learn more

The Red Cross of San Diego and Imperial Counties is a strong, vibrant and exemplary supporter of the veteran’s community in San Diego and a proud member of the SDVC.

For additional information, please visit “www.sdvetscoalition.org”

Important Notice Regarding COVID-19

Safety First! Our need for volunteers is constant and our guidelines reflect the latest CDC and local-government COVID-19 safety recommendations. You can make a difference by applying for one of our most-needed volunteer positions supporting blood collection or disaster response. We even have a variety of remote (work-from-home) opportunities available. While we do not require volunteers to be vaccinated against COVID-19, we will ask you to report whether you are or are not vaccinated. This personal, confidential information will help us determine appropriate staffing needs.

Be sure to review guidance from the CDC for more information, consult your healthcare provider, and follow local guidance. The number one priority of the American Red Cross is the health and safety of our employees, volunteers, blood donors and recipients, and the people we serve.

FIND URGENTLY NEEDED VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES Explore All Volunteer Opportunities

The American Red Cross has an ongoing critical need for blood and platelet donations amidst coronavirus uncertainties. You can make an appointment to give blood or platelets at www.RedCrossBlood.org.