Disaster Education Promoted in Latino Community

PRESS RELEASE

AMERICAN RED CROSS OF GREATER LOS ANGELES & CONSULATE GENERAL OF MEXICO IN LOS ANGELES SIGN AGREEMENT

LOS ANGELES, July 24 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ -- The Consulate General of Mexico in Los Angeles and the American Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles co-hosted a signing ceremony at the Mexican Consulate to announce a joint working relationship to prepare the Mexican immigrant community in Los Angeles County for disasters.

Consul General Juan Marcos Gutierrez Gonzalez and Paul Schulz, CEO of the American Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles, signed a letter of understanding that calls for the two institutions to provide disaster education outreach programs, recruit and train Spanish-speaking Red Cross volunteers, and develop bilingual educational materials.

"We are grateful to the Mexican Consulate for reaching out to the Red Cross in helping us promote disaster preparedness to the Mexican community here in Southern California," said Paul Schulz, CEO American Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles. "This agreement allows for an even stronger and mutually beneficial working relationship."

As part of the partnership, the American Red Cross will distribute materials at the Mexican Consulate Health Office as well as screen disaster preparedness videos in the waiting area. The Mexican Consulate will assist in the translation of educational materials and recruitment of Red Cross volunteers.

"Historically, the Red Cross has been one of the most recognized and respected institutions by the Mexican community," said Consul General Juan Marcos Gutierrez Gonzalez. "This alliance will enhance the capabilities of both our institutions to improve the services we provide during emergencies caused by natural disasters."

The event also included remarks from Captain Ruth Nelson of the Emergency Operations Bureau for the Los Angeles Country Sheriff's Department, who spoke on the importance of community collaboration in natural disaster preparedness. Doors were also opened to other Latino consulates to make the same or similar agreements.

SOURCE American Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles
-0- 07/24/2009
/CONTACT: Monica Diaz of American Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles, +1-310-445-2653, or Cell: +1-310-562-3878/