Background Since the founding of the Junior Red Cross in 1917, youth and the Red Cross have been partners. Today, the involvement of young people with the Red Cross is more important than ever. Our goal is to provide young people with meaningful opportunities for education, training, and volunteer/community service so that they remain a part of the Red Cross family throughout their lives. Young people up to age 24 make up 35 percent of all Red Cross volunteers. Attend the National Youth Institute more... The Youth Messenger - March, 2008 issue more... Youth Involvement Toolkit more... Student leaders raise funds for Red Cross at BHS more... [opens in new window] Disaster Response Young people are trained to become involved in many areas of Red Cross Disaster Services, including community disaster education, disaster preparation in their local community, and disaster response through Red Cross disaster action teams and youth disaster corps. Leadership Development Participating in clubs, councils, and local boards as well as in leadership development camps or centers and on national Red Cross advisory and policy-making groups. Health and Safety Services In Red Cross babysitter training, first aid, CPR, aquatics, and water safety classes, young people are being educated about leading healthier, safer lives as well as being trained to serve as instructors, lifeguards, and peer educators. Biomedical Services Young adults, ages 17 and older, donate blood. Red Cross youth volunteers help with blood drives by recruiting donors, arranging appointments, acting as escorts, and serving refreshments. Young people also assist with tissue and organ donor recruitment. School-Related Activities Fund raising, organizing blood drives, providing international assistance, and learning about such things as disaster preparedness and HIV/AIDS prevention and education. International Services Young people learn about other cultures by assembling Red Cross school chests and by learning about international humanitarian law and its implications worldwide. Other Youth Opportunities Young people are involved in other areas of the American Red Cross. There are opportunities that are related to school and college and Internships, as well as openings in Leadership Development and Community Services. Armed Forces Emergency Services Young people provide volunteer service to help thousands of U.S. service members separated from their families by military duty stay connected Community Services Mission related community activities can include cleaning up streets, planting trees, and organizing food drives. Young people also serve as mentors to peers and younger youth on substance abuse prevention, teen pregnancy prevention, environmental awareness, violence prevention, and other major youth issues.