Integrating Red Cross Volunteer Work into Professional Development: Lazarus’s Story as a Volunteer Screener
Written by: Rosalind SE Carney, volunteer
For much of his adult life, Lazarus Davis has always volunteered to help his local community. From the Boy Scouts to the DC Reserve Police Force, he has found a way to use volunteer work to learn new professional skills.
Since February 2017, Lazarus has been working as a Volunteer Screener in the National Capital Region. Screeners donate about 8 hours a week during a 6-month, renewable commitment period. This position involves reviewing applications and resumes, performing interviews and background checks, and matching skills with positions available. As a result of his work, Lazarus received training in specific software applications, enhanced his communication skills and broadened his knowledge in human resources.
Lazarus is motivated by his continuous desire to understand and address community needs. After 15 years as a Reserve Police Officer, he was promoted to Lieutenant, and retired from the police force 5 years later. During those two decades, Lazarus sought to understand the day-to-day activities of police officers to help facilitate community-oriented policing.
Lazarus is currently enrolled in the Emergency Management Program at Frederick Community College. The program teaches participants how to forecast threats, understand crises, and launch response and recovery efforts for communities. As part of the program, Lazarus is completing an internship, which he chose to complete with the Disaster Relief team at the Red Cross. Once he completes the Emergency Management Program, he hopes to work for FEMA or locally in Prince George’s County.
Lazarus says, “The American Red Cross offers many different opportunities. I appreciate how much I have learned from my Red Cross experiences while continuing to give back to the community.”
Are you ready to make a difference like Lazarus?
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