Youth Leadership
The youth leadership program in the American Red Cross Southwest Washington Chapter consists of the Youth Council and a network of clubs.
Youth Leadership—Youth Council
The American Red Cross Southwest Washington Youth Council is a group of local high school student leaders that are actively involved in volunteer service through the American Red Cross. Youth and young adults have over ninety years of history with this humanitarian organization. Today’s young volunteers are engaged in governing leadership roles, public relations, fundraising, education and many other services that match up with this organization’s mission to prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.
The Youth Council serves as the hub of the youth program here in Southwest Washington, which includes high school Red Cross clubs, middle school clubs, and even elementary school clubs. The Youth Council coordinates activities for clubs and organizes chapter-wide events that benefit the American Red Cross. Some examples include:
- Leadership Development Conference
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- Annual Youth Council Tea and Historical Fashion Show
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- Raising awareness about international health issues including measles, malaria and HIV/AIDS
- Disaster preparedness education
- New Year’s Eve Blood Drive
Currently, eleven schools and six school districts from throughout Southwest Washington are represented on the Youth Council.
Youth Council applicants should have a desire to serve their community, be self-motivated, enthusiastic, and dedicated. The benefits of Youth Council membership for the student include: an enhanced concern for others, scholarship opportunities, community service hours, and local, regional and national leadership growth and service opportunities. In addition, Youth Council members learn about humanitarian service while following the seven fundamental principles of the American Red Cross: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality. Youth Council members learn valuable leadership skills that they can then apply to their lives.
If you are interested in applying for the Youth Council or know someone who might, please see the Youth Council Application page . If you have any questions, please contact the Youth Council at swwaredcrossyouthcouncil@gmail.com .
Youth Leadership—Clubs
In addition to the Youth Council, the Southwest Washington Chapter’s youth program consists of hundreds of students involved in Red Cross clubs and Red Cross-affiliated clubs in most high schools in our area and even a middle school and an elementary school. These clubs participate in a variety of projects, which touch every line of service of the American Red Cross, including
 Blood drives
- Gatorade and sports drink drives
- Comfort kits for disaster victims
- Measles Initiative fundraisers
- Holiday cards for military recruiters
- Veteran’s Day Parade
- Teaching Basic Aid Training
- Fundraisers for the National Disaster Relief Fund
- Fundraisers for the SW Washington Chapter
Youth do make a difference, and the American Red Cross Southwest Washington Chapter’s youth program is evidence of the change youth can create!
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