SERVE AUSTIN -- A CALL TO ACTION

 Today at City Hall the Mayor officially announced “Serve Austin – A Call to Action.”  This is Austin’s own “Cities of Service” initiative which will help thousands of volunteers make a difference in five key areas: Classroom Education, Fitness Education, Women Military Veteran Support, Health and Community Service Technology. 

Your American Red Cross, Austin Region is proud to be the lead partner in “Operation Outreach”, a program designed to proactively help female veterans with reintegration into civilian life and provide assistance for all issues they face upon return from military service. Over the next year, we will recruit and train 100 female veterans to reach out to their counterparts who may be struggling with issues as diverse as child care, post-traumatic stress disorders, or unemployment.  The volunteers will be armed with a guide to all the amazing resources our nonprofit, for profit and government agencies have to offer.  Our goal is to reach the veterans before they are in crisis by contacting them on a regular basis and encouraging them to seek help earlier.

This program is a perfect fit for the American Red Cross because volunteers are the heart of all we do and service to the military has been embedded in us from the beginning of our history.  We are excited at the opportunity to partner with both the City of Austin and all the organizations who are already working so hard to help our American heroes.  Watch for updates over the next few months as we build this program and serve those who have served us.

Marty McKellips

CEO

 CEO Marty McKellips pictured above at podium