Joshua Erizer's first day interning with the American Red Cross was not what he expected. Before he even knew where the bathroom was, Erizer was thrown into a chaotic relief effort to aid the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
The Greater Buffalo Chapter of the American Red Cross is made up largely of UB students, from employees to interns and volunteers. Erizer, a senior social services major, is one of those students. When he registered to intern for the Red Cross, it was meant to fulfill a requirement for his major. He chose it assuming it would be similar to his past two years of volunteer work and employment with Urban Christian Missions of Buffalo, and that he would continue to get a chance to help people.
However, he became a part of something much bigger.
Aug. 29 was the first day of the fall semester, Erizer's first day with the organization, and also the day hurricane Katrina hit shore.
Stepping in the door on his first day was stepping into a hectic environment for Joshua. For most of the volunteers, who all knew what they were doing and were ready and equipped to begin the nationwide relief effort, the procedure was standard. But for Erizer, everything was a bit overwhelming.
Not much has slowed down since. So far, Erizer's work has consisted of rapidly answering calls, fielding questions and directing people and supplying immediate needs to the victims of hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
The latter two are the main purposes of the American Red Cross.
"The Red Cross is a huge referral resource," said Erizer. "We send people to the places they need to go for more long-term help, and in the meantime we supply their immediate needs."
Erizer's supervisor, Amanda Campbell, a graduate social work student, reiterated this point.
"Red Cross is very hands-on and fast-paced," she said. "You maybe see a client once or twice, or not at all, but you always provide instant help."
As a part-time emergency case worker who has interned and been employed by the American Red Cross of Buffalo since beginning her undergraduate studies, Campbell now works directly with interns like Erizer, and other volunteers, who have come out in droves in response to the recent disaster.
"The majority of Red Cross work is done by the volunteers, a number that has risen drastically in the occurrence of Katrina" said Campbell. "Catastrophe draws people out. People take leaves from work just to be available to help."
And the Red Cross itself also makes relief efforts from disasters such as this top priority.
"Emergency services are the focus of the American Red Cross," said Campbell. "And natural disasters and military cases are our core services. They take precedence over everything."
Those more common services are something Erizer is eager to discover.
"My first couple of days I was thrown directly into meetings and conferences," said Erizer. "Everyone was just trying to figure out exactly what to do, how to handle this catastrophe. I am interested to find out how things typically work around here."
The typical Buffalo chapter work Joshua has yet to face is mostly in regard to snow and ice storms, power outages, minor creek flooding and flooding in low-lying areas and household fires.
Another UB intern at the Buffalo Red Cross, graduate social work student Alicia Murray, who also began the week of Katrina, has worked more with the traditional cases. She took on the internship to have a well-rounded education, as her graduate focus is in mental health. And unlike Joshua, she has experienced the more routine happenings.
Even this, she said, has given her so much perspective on how much the American Red Cross really does for society.
"Prior to my experience with the Red Cross, I simply associated it with blood donation," said Murray. "Now I realize just how much this organization truly does for people. It is an amazing agency."
The Buffalo Red Cross has recently raised over $1 million for disaster relief, directly assisting over 600 evacuees with their basic needs, including food, clothing and shelter. They also work with agencies like the United Way, Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, Buffalo Urban League, Buffalo Public Schools and Erie County Social Services, offering convenient and immense assistance for all the needs of hurricane sufferers.
However, Erizer said that the counseling, which can be found through a call to the station, can often be just as beneficial to the community.
"So many times people just need to talk, to be heard," he said. "The most meaningful experiences I have had so far have been through the stories of victims, and being able to help them, even if that just means listening."
Although it hasn't been easy, Erizer said he has gained a new perspective on life and loss through his recent experiences at the Red Cross.
"Yeah, we get snow," he said. "But has it cost us everything? For these people, the hurricanes have, and helping them has become the most rewarding experience I have ever had."
