Ileana has not yet set foot in the American Red Cross offices, but she’s been hard at work for months.
Her primary project has been researching demographics and creating a comprehensive Excel spreadsheet of every high school, college, and university in Orange County. Even with work that could seem tedious, she has an excitement for the mission of the Red Cross. She is glad to work towards the mission of providing hope, information, food and shelter to victims of disaster.
Ileana is so enthusiastic about the mission that she has plans to to do more, beyond her work study position. She’s working to start a Red Cross Youth Club at Cristo Rey San Diego. “It’s a way for students to come together and build community. We will build community not just with each other, but with our whole neighborhood,” explains Ileana.
The hardest part of her job is working virtually and making connections with people in the workplace. Yet, she’s learned she has colleagues she can rely on. “Everyone is willing to help.”