RED CROSS, NAACP JOIN FORCES IN TRAINING

When Barbra Jackson came to Cape Girardeau to lend her expertise as a human resources director for the American Red Cross, she was "shocked" to find virtually no black skilled volunteers in the area.

She was even more surprised to learn that the Cape Girardeau chapter of the NAACP was unaware of a written agreement between the agency and the Red Cross pledging one another's support during times of crisis.

"So I called the local NAACP chapter and asked them about their involvement in relief services," said Jackson, a native of Hayward, Calif. "Michael Sterling, the president of the local chapter, told me that he thought the Red Cross served and was run by primarily a white society."

Jackson, who was assigned to Cape Girardeau from the San Francisco Bay Area chapter of the American Red Cross, set up training sessions hoping to lure a primarily black group. The response was overwhelming.

"I'm so happy," she said. "I feel like shouting out; I couldn't believe the turnout."

The program started early Wednesday at Red Cross headquarters with 24 people solicited by the NAACP, predominantly black churches and by the Red Cross.

Jackson said she called police headquarters about having an officer participate in the program. Capt. Steve Strong approved the release of Officer Freddie Ford from his work schedule.

"The best way to effect change is from within," Jackson said.

"Every community member should be able to take part in its own affairs," she continued. "I hope to leave a sense of empowerment here and make these people feel involved, needed by their communities."

In the course of the two days, volunteers will learn how to talk to disaster victims and how to assist them in filling out forms. They will be instructed on policy guidelines and price guidelines for issuing disbursement orders, and on how to represent the Red Cross effectively as human relations disaster service volunteers.

"It's a lot to learn," Jackson said. "But we have a wonderful group of people here eager to learn more to assist their fellow citizens in their time of need."

Sterling, who also attended the training, believes this is an excellent opportunity for black people in the area.

"This is a good opportunity, because people in the black community need to become involved in volunteer organizations," Sterling said. "When a disaster like the flooding strikes, it crosses all color and ethnic lines.

"The flood of `93 brought a lot of things to a head this summer," he continued. "And in response, this has become a human mission, drawing the people of the community together to fight a single battle."

Bernice Coar-Cobb, a professor at Southeast Missouri State University and the first vice-president of the Cape Girardeau NAACP chapter, said training like that offered by the Red Cross promotes networking and spreads information throughout the community.

"Participation in programs like this one gives people a sense of self-worth," she said. "Those people will go out into the community and tell others of the opportunities volunteer organizations hold and about how they too can contribute to the relief effort."

Jackson said after she leaves Cape Girardeau to return home or any other place the Red Cross requires her expertise, she will remember the ground she helped to break in this city.

"I feel as if this is a great accomplishment for me and the Red Cross as a whole," Jackson said. "People are now becoming involved with the Red Cross who would have never considered such a move before."