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For many seniors of West Essex High School, the month of May indicates the arrival of a highly anticipated rite of passage. Unlike most other high schools across the nation, however, W.E.H.S seniors do not consider the relief-filled completion of AP examinations or even the pomp and circumstance of graduation as the most prestigious privilege of senior status; instead, a program called Senior Service is the most coveted opportunity of senior year. Senior Service refers to a community service program in which students are granted the opportunity to volunteer at various locations in the area for five weeks rather than attend classes at the high school. The program provides students who must meet certain requirements regarding grade point average and disciplinary record with an opportunity to participate in an invaluable experience while simultaneously performing meaningful community service.
As a resident of Fairfield, I decided to choose the headquarters of the American Red Cross of Northern New Jersey as the site for my Senior Service project. When I chose the ARC, I must admit, I assumed the charity mainly focused on disaster relief and lifesaving skills courses. Like many Americans, I merely associated the internationally recognized Red Cross symbol with efforts concerning major disasters like hurricanes, tornadoes, or floods. Upon the completion of my internship, however, I realized that the services of the organization surpass any preconceived notions I may have harbored.
During the first week of my internship, I attended “Sixty Minutes with the Red Cross” and a monthly staff meeting; both served as information sessions that first alerted me to the amazing intricacy and efficiency of the Red Cross. I also had the pleasure of working in the Braille department the largest remaining volunteer Braille production center in the world and learned that the Northern New Jersey chapter of the Red Cross exports hundreds of books to visually impaired students all over the United States. Furthermore, I toured the blood donor center and learned that the ARC of NNJ welcomes blood donors on a daily basis; previously, I had believed that sporadic blood drives were the only available site to donate blood. I certainly discovered many more amazing aspects of the local Northern New Jersey chapter, but above all, I learned that the staff and volunteers are among the most generous and selfless people I have ever met. Some members of the disaster response team, for example, bear the responsibility of responding to crises at any given hour and without notice. I am continually impressed by the willingness and helpfulness of each and every member of the ARC of NNJ. The American Red Cross is not a government agency and, to function successfully, truly relies on the kindness of ordinary Americans.
Overall, my experience at the American Red Cross of Northern New Jersey provided me with a wonderful volunteer internship and insight into the challenges of one of the most famous nonprofit organizations in the world. Some of my classmates who chose other locations for their Senior Service projects might merely describe their experiences as a much-needed break from school or a welcomed change of scenery. If I had to summarize my internship at the Red Cross, however, only one word comes to mind inspirational.
by Melissa Weston, Red Cross Intern
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