AmeriCorps - National Preparedness and Response Corps (NPRC)

The National Preparedness and Response Corps (NPRC), sponsored by the American Red Cross and funded by an AmeriCorps grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service, is the foremost young adult disaster service corps in the nation.  The Greater Carolinas Chapter was selected to be one of four additional host sites two years ago bringing the total to twenty-four Red Cross chapters who have been selected to participate in the program.  Corps members will be chosen from a nationwide pool of prospective applicants.  Their year of service to our community began August 6, 2007 and ends June 13, 2008. 

Their service activities focus on community disaster preparedness education, responding to disasters --- both local and beyond-the-chapter, and a variety of other disaster preparedness activities.  Our organization’s commitment is to help the group develop as a team, provide leadership development opportunities, and support individual development within the scope of the program’s mission.  The team will help us to develop a disaster education program to reach more people within our area with disaster preparedness information and skills.  Our new team will bring a great deal of talent and experience to us to share with the community. 

View the 2007/2008 AmeriCorps year in pictures by clicking here.

Facts about the A*NPRC Program

• Upon successful completion of a full term of service, members receive an educational award in the amount $4725
• Members receive a bi-weekly living allowance
• Health care coverage is provided.
• Members may be eligible for assistance with child care costs and public transportation.
• Leadership development is achieved through disaster response, community training opportunities, and special project organization.
• Certification classes and training include First Aid, Adult/Infant/Child CPR, AED essentials, family services, disaster services, disaster education, disaster assessment, HIV and AIDS, Red Cross International services, defensive driving, emergency response vehicle operation, presenters workshop, diversity workshop, instructor certification and other career development and health and safety courses.
• Experience teaching students of all ages, from grade school students to senior citizens.
• The opportunity to select and coordinate special projects related to Red Cross service.

For more information, please contact Katrina D. Johnson at Johnsonkatri@usa.redcross.org. If you would like to apply or know someone who would, please visit the AmericCorps website to complete an application: https://recruit.cns.gov

2007-2008 AmeriCorps Team Information and Bios

Farah Ali

704.378.4629

AliF@usa.redcross.org

Farah Ali is from Durham, NC and graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in May 2007 with a B.A in international studies & political science and a minor in Spanish.  She has recently relocated to Charlotte as apart of the American Red Cross’s AmeriCorps team and will be serving as the Partnership Coordinator.  She enjoys traveling, reading, exercising and learning about different cultures.

Kailyn Brown

704.378.4630

BrownKail@usa.redcross.org

 Kailyn Brown is originally from Durham, NC and is a recent graduate from the University of North Carolina- Greensboro. Initially she went to college to study Physical Education but decide on Public Health to prepare her for a career involving non-profits.   She has always felt the need to volunteer in the community and was a part of many non-profits including: YWCA – Teen Mentor Program, SportsDreams, and Big Brothers/ Big Sisters.  In her spare time she enjoys to travel, watch Carolina basketball, eat sushi and read fashion magazines.

Chasity Burgess

704.378.4625

BurgessChas@usa.redcross.org

 Chasity Burgess is from Florence, SC.  She has been in Charlotte for about a year and seven months.  She previously worked for the American Red Cross National Testing Laboratory and has also served as a substitute teacher for the past three years.  Chasity is married with two daughters that keep her really busy.  She enjoys working with youth and felt that joining AmeriCorps as the Youth Services Coordinator here in Charlotte would be a great experience.  Her primary responsibility will be coordinating health education services in the Charlotte Mecklenburg school system, private schools, and child care centers. 

 Katherine Caya

704.378.4634

WintersCayaK@usa.redcross.org

 Katherine Caya moved to Charlotte, NC in 2003 from Oregon.  She graduated from UNCC with a degree in Social Work.  Before coming to the Red Cross, Katherine worked at Gaston Memorial Hospital and WTVI.  This year she will be serving as the Volunteer Coordinator for the Greater Carolinas Red Cross Chapter and is looking forward to getting to know all of the volunteers.  Katherine’s interest include attempting to cook delicious dinners with her husband, traveling, listening to National Public Radio, and taking walks with her two dogs. 

Will Harrison

704.378.4627

HarrisonWil@usa.redcross.org

 Will Harrison was born and raised in Winston-Salem, NC and graduated last May from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a B.A. in American History.  Throughout college Will was active in the community and is interested in furthering his commitment to community service.  He recently moved into the Charlotte area and is excited about serving as the Disaster Action Team Coordinator for the Greater Carolinas Red Cross Chapter.  Outside of work Will enjoys spending time with family and friends, going out on the weekends, playing sports, and watching every Panther’s and Tarheel’s game.

Jeremiah Huston

704.873.9751

HustonJ@usa.redcross.org

Jeremiah Huston was born and raised in Springfield, VA. He graduated from Virginia Tech in May 2007 with a B.S. in Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise and a minor in Chemistry. Jeremiah has past volunteer and employment with running summer and Saturday recreational camps for children and young adults with physical and mental disabilities. At Virginia Tech, Jeremiah was President of the Filipino American Student Association. Tootsie rolls are his candy of choice.

Courtney Maddox

704.378.4623

MaddoxC@usa.redcross.org

 Courtney Maddox is from Sulligent, Alabama. She graduated from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa this past May with a degree in Marketing.  During her time as an AmeriCorps member in Charlotte, she will be the Marketing and Communications Coordinator.  Outside of work, Courtney enjoys traveling to new places, watching Alabama football, and hanging out with her family!

Sam Witbracht

309.256.8081

WitbrachtS@usa.redcross.org

 Samantha Witbracht is from a small town called Mackinaw, Illinois that is located outside of Peoria, Illinois.  She attended Illinois State University where she received a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology.  Sam did her first term of AmeriCorps NPRC at the Central Illinois Chapter in Peoria, IL from 2006-2007. This year she will serve as the Lake Norman Branch Coordinator. Sam lives in Cornelius with her finance Matt and their two pets Koenig and Floyd.