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Red Cross To Bring Training Program To Wichita Area

Wikipedia

The American Red Cross is bringing itsZero to Hero training program to the Wichita area, with a weekend seminar in mid-March.

Zero to Hero is a crash course in Red Cross disaster relief. It’s held across the country in an effort to grow the organization’s volunteer base.

This is the first time the training has been held in south-central Kansas.

While the Red Cross is known for helping after a natural disaster hits, it’s much more common for volunteers to help single families after a house fire, according to Michelle Jantz, executive director of Wichita’s Red Cross division.

Jantz said there have been 42 such cases near Wichita in the last month.

“Those aren’t the big disasters that make the big news all the time, but they are certainly disasters we manage every single day,” Jantz said.

Those participating in the Zero to Hero program will learn how volunteers assess disasters, how to set up case files for individuals affected by tragedies and how to provide them with food, shelter and clothing.

After the seminar is complete, trainees enter into a mentoring phase with current volunteers for a more hands-on experience.

Jantz said that working with the Red Cross can be stressful, but very rewarding.

“We hear over and over again from every one of our volunteers that it is the absolute best job that you’ll never be paid for,” she said.

The Zero to Hero event will be held in Wichita beginning March 11 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., March 12 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and March 13 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.

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Follow Sean Sandefur on Twitter @SeanSandefur

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