Red Cross Clubs
The Chapter’s Youth Program is represented by Red Cross Clubs organized at high schools throughout Greater New York. The program provides club members—young people between the ages of 14 and 18—with meaningful opportunities to serve their communities and to develop valuable leadership skills. Additionally, youth are encouraged to become permanent members of the American Red Cross in Greater New York family as they grow within the organization and take on increasing levels of responsibility.
Additional Opportunities
Beyond the projects and activities planned by their individual clubs, Red Cross Club members enjoy numerous opportunities for deeper involvement with the American Red Cross. Some of the activities they are encouraged to participate in include:
Youth Volunteer Instructor Program
Through the Youth Volunteer Instructor Program, volunteers age 16-plus can become fully certified Red Cross Heath and Safety instructors who are qualified to teach lifesaving classes and to act as Authorized Provider Instructors for their Red Cross Clubs. Applications for this program are accepted in the fall and spring.
Training Courses
Club members are encouraged to take courses offered by the Greater NY Chapter, including CPR and first aid certification classes, International Humanitarian Law, and disaster response training. Through these courses, club members prepare themselves to respond to emergency situations, learn about the International Red Cross Movement, and may qualify to become Disaster volunteers who respond to emergencies in Greater NY.
Fundraising
Fundraising for local and international Red Cross disaster relief efforts is an integral part of Red Cross Clubs’ service programs. Numerous clubs hold fundraisers for international causes such as the Measles Initiative, a partnership between the American Red Cross and leading global health organizations to vaccinate children in the developing world against measles. Additionally, clubs stand ready to mobilize and raise funds for Red Cross relief efforts for sudden disasters, such as the January 2010 Earthquake in Haiti or Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Club fundraising efforts for local responses have the added benefit of raising awareness of American Red Cross services within their communities.
Club Advisory Board
The Club Advisory Board (CAB) is composed of motivated Greater NY Red Cross Club members. Each Red Cross club names a representative to serve on the CAB and act as the primary contact between its school and the Chapter. CAB members help promote their clubs’ programs to the Chapter. Additionally, they attend monthly meetings to plan inter-club activities, address concerns and develop leadership skills. Each CAB member serves a one-year term that runs from September 1 to June 30.
All Red Cross Club members must participate in at least two service projects in the fall semester and at least two service projects the spring semester, and apply for a MyRedCross account on the Greater NY Chapter’s website.
The Greater NY Red Cross youth program is currently represented by the following High School Red Cross Clubs:
Bard High School Early College QueensBaruch College Campus High School
Bayside High School
Benjamin N. Cardozo High School
Brooklyn Technical High School
Bronx High School of Science
Democracy Prep Charter School
Forest Hills High School
Fort Hamilton High School
Francis Lewis High School
Frank Sinatra School of the Arts
Leon M. Goldstein High School
High School of Telecommunication Arts
Hillcrest High School
Hunter College High School
Information Technology High School
James Madison High School
LaGuardia High School
Manhattan Bridges High School
Manhattan Center for Science and Mathematics
Maspeth High School
Midwood High School
NEST+m
Stuyvesant High School
Townsend Harris High School
How to join an existing club or start your own club
If you are a member of your High School's Red Cross Club, please initiate your MyRedCross Application here.
If you are 14 years of age or older and you’d like to become of a member of your school’s Red Cross Club, please talk with a club leader and/or advisor about joining. If you are not sure whom to approach, email redcrossclubs@nyredcross.org; we will notify the club leader or advisor of your interest.
If there is no Red Cross Club at your school and you’re interested in starting one, or have other questions about Red Cross Clubs, please contact redcrossclubs@nyredcross.org. Community groups, centers and organizations are also welcome to inquire about starting clubs.
The steps necessary to start a Red Cross Club will vary depending on each school. However, all clubs will need to create a leadership structure, recruit members and meet with a Greater NY staff member to discuss the club program. The Greater NY Chapter will provide support throughout the process with a Red Cross Club guidebook and planning advice. Once established, clubs will receive ongoing support in leadership development, activity ideas and fundraising tools.
