The American Red Cross has been an important part of the fabric of Greater New York for more than 100 years, providing disaster relief services and educational programs to meet the evolving needs of an ever-changing population.

Today the Chapter is a key humanitarian partner and a vital participant in New York's plans and programs to help the nine million people in the five boroughs of New York City and Orange, Putnam, Rockland and Sullivan Counties prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.

Given the uncertainties of today's world, the Chapter is accelerating its collaboration with government agencies and other partners to develop and implement readiness plans to respond to major natural and man-made disasters.

The Chapter’s small cadre of employees and thousands of volunteers provide immediate aid in the form of food, shelter, financial assistance, mental health counseling and compassion to more than 100,000 people affected by more than 3,000 emergencies a year-from fires and floods to building collapses and blackouts.

The Red Cross also helps individuals, families, businesses and communities stay prepared for emergencies by offering hundreds of lifesaving courses in Adult/Child/Infant CPR, First Aid, Lifeguarding and Caregiving, as well as safety information and resources and free emergency preparedness training programs.