Tag Archives: Regional

From Guerrero to California: Jesús Sotelo’s Quiet Revolution of Service

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By Alvaro Martinez and Mason Hodges, American Red Cross Communications Volunteers

Click here to read this story in Spanish

When disaster strikes, Jesús Sotelo doesn’t hesitate — he acts.

Born in Acapulco, Guerrero, México, Jesús grew up in a community where music, faith and service were deeply woven into everyday life. In the 1980s, he and a group of friends formed “Lobos,” an informal volunteer team that assisted people in crisis. Their efforts led them to collaborate with Protección Civil and receive training from the Cruz Roja Mexicana, where Jesús learned paramedic-style skills and embraced a guiding principle: “If there is an accident, you must help.”

Though he didn’t pursue a formal paramedic career, Jesús’ dedication to helping others never wavered. That same spirit followed him when he moved to the United States. What began as a temporary stay became permanent—and so did his desire to serve. Despite language barriers and unfamiliar systems, Jesús found his way to the American Red Cross, applying online and quickly becoming a trusted volunteer at shelters, community events and training sessions.

“You don’t need permission,” he said. “Just ask, ‘What’s next?’ and get involved.”

Jesús’ journey took a challenging turn when he became seriously ill. Hospitalized for two weeks, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. The treatments were grueling, but his resolve remained strong.

“You have two paths,” he explained. “Surrender or fight. I choose to fight.”

Faith and family became his anchors. His wife and fellow Red Cross volunteer became a pillar of support, and his pastoral studies gave him strength. Even during treatment, Jesús continued volunteering. His service became a source of healing and purpose.

“What you do matters. Even when it’s hard. Even when you’re scared.”

Jesús’ story is a powerful reflection of Hispanic heritage — not just through tradition, but through action. His presence at the Red Cross helps bridge cultural and language gaps, offering comfort and connection to Spanish-speaking communities. He hopes to see more Latinos step into service, not only as volunteers, but as leaders too.

He’s received medals and local honors, but for Jesús, the true reward is knowing he made a difference. He dreams of one day becoming a Red Cross employee and writing a book that shares his journey and inspires others.

“Live in the present,” he said. “This moment is the only life we have. Serving with humility is a powerful legacy. Faith without action is not enough. If you believe, act.”

Jesús didn’t wait for perfect conditions, and you don’t have to either. Whether you speak Spanish or English, whether you’re new to volunteering or have years of experience, your help is greatly needed.

Join Jesús and thousands of others making a difference. Visit redcross.org/volunteer to sign up today.

Why Blood Donors Who are Black Matter: One Woman’s Lifesaving Connection to Donors

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“After being sick I wanted to get out of the house and look normal,” Jenielle says

Growing up, Jenielle Tulloch didn’t understand why illness followed her when no one else around her seemed to suffer the same way. Pain came in waves, sudden and consuming. “A lot of times I felt like a burden to them,” she says about getting sick so often.

“It’s like you’re being stabbed multiple times, over and over, an internal throbbing pain like a heartbeat,” she says. These crises would send her to hospital. As a child she thought: “You aren’t going to make it past 30, you aren’t going to have kids.”

Fortunately, she did make it past the age of 30 and had two children of her own. As an adult she began to educate herself about sickle cell disease. And eventually she even came to appreciate how the experience shaped her.

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Lessons Learned: Resilience in the Face of Adversity

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By Alison Votaw, Communications Volunteer

Maria Stevens believes that through adversity, we build strength. Her journey began long before she joined the American Red Cross as a Community Disaster Program Manager (CDPM) in 2023.

At just 8 years old, Maria and her family moved from their comfortable home in Mexico to Downey, Calif., as political refugees. They had to start anew with little support, and Maria witnessed her parents work tirelessly to provide for their family. Determined to succeed, she focused on her education, conquering the challenges that immigrant families often face.

“It was humbling to come from Mexico to the US, where we had nothing.”

At 14, inspired by her parents’ relentless work ethic, Maria took her first job as a lifeguard. This decision marked her introduction to the American Red Cross, where she earned her swim instructor certification—a connection that would later return when her own children grew older.

“The hardships taught me resiliency.” 

With her understanding of resiliency, Maria dedicated herself to helping others at a mental health organization before she found her way to the Red Cross.

“I learned to see people for who they are, and not for the mistakes they made.”

After 11 years working in mental health, her daughter approached her with an interest in being a lifeguard. Maria knew the perfect place to start.

Soon after, Maria applied for the CDPM position, and within 7 months, she was promoted to her current position as Community Disaster Risk Reduction Coordinator serving Tulare County.

Maria is deeply committed to supporting and equipping Tulare County through the Community Adaptation Program (CAP). This initiative connects with local non-profits, focusing on preparing smaller or rural communities for potential challenges, ensuring they are ready for any disaster.

Soon after her hiring, Maria faced her first disaster during the devastating flooding in Tulare County. Her dedication shone as she worked tirelessly. This experience sparked her passion for disaster work, resulting in two additional deployments.

Maria knows this job was meant for her. Many communities have a difficult time trusting outsiders, but Maria is proud that she has been able to break down barriers between herself and those in rural communities. As a bilingual individual, she can easily communicate with Spanish speakers, and through her childhood experience, she understands their initial hesitation. Maria’s also been working on breaking down the language barrier for languages she does not speak by purchasing a translation device.

“Disasters do not discriminate on race, gender, or social status; anybody can be affected by something.”

During Maria’s deployment to Hurricane Milton, she took on the role of disaster assessment. What she witnessed stuck with her. In one neighborhood on the side of a white house, was written out in red paint, ‘Surrender Dorothy.’ Maria witnessed how the neighborhood continued to persevere even through the devastating effects of Milton.

“Even when there are challenges, get up and shake it off.”

Maria has faced each of life’s challenges with the same resiliency she learned from her parents all those years ago. Maria is an excellent example of the unwavering dedication Red Cross staff and volunteers have in keeping our communities safe and prepared.

This Hispanic Heritage Month, let’s celebrate Maria’s story and the legacy she continues to build, a legacy rooted in compassion, connection and service.

To learn more about the work of the CAP team, visit our website at Community Adaptation Program | Our Work | NCCR.

Honoring Heritage, Humanity and the Impact of Kindness

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By Taylor Poisall, Red Cross Communications Team

For Mari Montelongo, joining the American Red Cross wasn’t just a career move, it was a calling.

Since stepping into her first role as a Disaster Program Specialist in 2023, Mari has quickly become a vital part of the Central California Region’s disaster response efforts. Now serving as the Regional Disaster Action Team (DAT) Manager, she leads with heart, purpose and a deep commitment to helping others.

“I was drawn to the humanitarian aspect of the Red Cross,” Mari shared. “We go out to assist anyone in need — being the shoulder they can cry on or lean on in a devastating circumstance.”

In her current role, Mari ensures that volunteers are trained and supported, facilitates virtual courses for new and aspiring volunteer leaders and compiles weekly reports that summarize the region’s disaster response activities to inform her peers about the daily impact of the DAT’s work. She also supports national-level calls, stepping in when an urgent resolution is needed. Her work is both strategic and deeply personal.

One of her most cherished memories is attending the annual Central Valley Heroes Awards, where community members are honored for lifechanging acts of service. “Being able to recognize those who have saved lives or made a difference in their community is so humbling and rewarding to see,” she said.

Mari’s impact is felt not just in the logistics of disaster response, but in the quiet, powerful moments of human connection. “I’ve spoken directly with home fire survivors who’ve lost their homes, their belongings and sometimes even loved ones,” she reflected. “Witnessing their shock and being able to transform that into a sense of relief when they see the Red Cross, it’s a humbling and powerful experience.”

Her dedication is deeply rooted in her upbringing and heritage. As the youngest of three sisters in a close-knit family of five, Mari was raised with strong values and a deep appreciation for education and culture. “My parents were incredibly supportive of what we were passionate about,” she described. “They made sure we had access to higher education, an opportunity they never had themselves.”

Her Hispanic heritage continues to shape her approach to service. “Going to Mexico and seeing strangers treat you like family falls hand in hand with how we treat our volunteers, staff and those in need,” she explained. “We treat everyone with respect and open arms.”

Her parents instilled in Mari and her sisters the importance of learning the Spanish language properly for better opportunities, but also to remember their roots and the generations before them, ensuring they would carry them for their lifetime and pass them on to their future generations.

Mari believes that kindness is the most valuable legacy one can leave behind. “Wealth isn’t measured through financial streams. It’s created with the people you surround yourself with. Stay curious when meeting new people, you never truly know the story they carry.”

She’s especially passionate about encouraging Hispanic and Latino communities to prepare for disasters like home fires. “Language barriers can make people hesitant,” she noted. “But simply reassuring them that someone is always there to help can make a huge difference. Taking the time to build a plan and walk through real-life scenarios can boost confidence and save lives.”

Mari’s story is a testament to the power of compassion, culture and community. Through her work with the Red Cross, she continues to uplift others by one training, one conversation and one act of kindness at a time.

This Hispanic Heritage Month, we celebrate the generations of Latino Red Crossers who have turned compassion into action and service into tradition. Their stories remind us that when we give back, we build stronger communities and inspire the next generation to do the same.

Join the American Red Cross and help us create a more inclusive, compassionate and empowered future ─ one where every voice matters and every story is celebrated.

Get involved today at redcross.org and make a lasting impact in your community.

A Lifesaving Lift: American Red Cross and VA Central California Roll Out Support for Veterans

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Lives Saved in the Parking Lot: Red Cross Donates Shuttle Carts to Care for Local Veterans

“I truly love the American Red Cross and all of the work they do for our community, but especially the way they serve veterans through the Service to the Armed Forces.” – Mary Golden, VA Central California Health Care System

In a powerful show of unity and commitment to serving veterans, the American Red Cross and the VA Central California Health Care System have joined forces to support America’s heroes.

For over 140 years, the Red Cross has cared for the humanitarian needs of the U.S. military community through every phase of duty, both at home and around the world. Locally, this mission continues through a long-standing partnership with the VA Central California Health Care System, providing comfort and care to veterans, families and their caregivers.

As part of this ongoing collaboration, the Red Cross recently donated four shuttle carts to the VA Hospital in Fresno. These carts will help provide safe transportation for veteran patients and their families from parking areas to the hospital entrance, especially critical during the Central Valley’s extreme summer heat, which poses additional health risks to vulnerable patients.

“These carts truly will save lives in this parking lot thanks to this beautiful donation from the American Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces.” – Mary Golden, VA Central California Health Care System

Lori Wilson, Executive director of the American Red Cross Central Valley Chapter, and Mary Golden Chief, Center for Development and Civic Engagement (CDCE) at VA Central California Health Care System

“This is so huge for us, and especially our veterans receiving care at our VA. We want them to know when they come on campus that they are safe. We will take care of them, we respect them and we honor them,” said Mary Golden. “By providing this transportation with these new, beautiful carts that hold six veterans at a time, it will be able to provide more services for more veterans and get them safely to the building, especially on hot days in the summer. Veterans can become dehydrated, dizzy, stumble or fall, and we just want to prevent that for them and their guests.”

“Our goal is to prevent veteran falls in the parking lot and throughout the facility with our programs in CDC or voluntary service, and part of preventing falls is preventing the injuries that come with them. If a veteran is over 80 years old and breaks a hip, it can drastically shorten their lifespan,” explained Golden. “These carts truly will save lives in this parking lot thanks to this beautiful donation from the American Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces.”

Leaders from the American Red Cross Central Valley and VA Central California Health Care System celebrated the special donation in September 2025.

“We have an amazing partnership with our American Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces, it’s been strong, and they are committed to the veterans we mutually serve and we work together on all manner of veteran care needs. We work together to serve veterans through fires and storms and other natural disasters and emergencies, and here at the hospital, they provide us with dedicated volunteers to run a number of programs, including the American Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces Hospitality Cart. Our partnership is just one of collaboration and trust,” said Golden.

“As a veteran myself, these types of services don’t go unnoticed,” said Jose Molina, Service to the Armed Forces Program manager. Molina was instrumental in supporting the logistics of the donation of the shuttle carts. “I’m proud to have played a small role in the part of the process that allowed for the donation of the carts for my fellow veterans. For the Fresno VA to be doing this for the veterans in this community, it will truly save lives.”

Every day, brave individuals answer the call to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces. From the beginning of their service and throughout their lives, the Red Cross stands by them, offering a continuum of care.

The Red Cross and VA Central California work together year-round to support veterans through emergencies, natural disasters and hospital-based programs to provide non-medical support. Red Cross volunteers play a vital role, from operating the Hospitality Cart to distributing comfort items and cards on special observances and offering connection to ensure veterans are never forgotten.

“I just feel like we’re family now, and we have been for years,” shared Golden. “I truly love the American Red Cross and all of the work they do for our community, but especially the way they serve veterans through the Service to the Armed Forces.”

Learn more about how you can get involved at redcross.org/saf.

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