Red Cross Volunteers Help Shelter Residents Rebuild Lives

The hardest part of surviving a disaster often begins when the shelter doors close.

When families and individuals lose their homes to floods, hurricanes, or winter storms, emergency shelters provide immediate safety. But what happens when it's time to leave? That's where Shelter Resident Transition volunteers come in, helping survivors navigate the overwhelming next steps with compassion and practical support.

Theresa Nelson, a Red Cross volunteer from Northeast Tennessee, recently traveled to Middle Tennessee to help residents displaced by severe winter storms. She's one of a growing team of SRT volunteers who specialize in what happens after emergency shelter.

"I'm really good with connecting with clients and helping them move to the next level," Theresa says. Over four years, she's completed 15 disaster deployments across the country, starting with Hurricane Ian in 2022.

Her work involves more than logistics. SRT volunteers help residents identify their options, whether that means returning home, reunifying with family, moving to temporary housing, or connecting with community resources. But Theresa sees her role as something deeper.

"I always tell the clients, 'Wherever you're going, my heart is with you,'" she shares. For her, the mission is about treating people with dignity during their most vulnerable moments.

That includes everyone, even those who were unhoused before the disaster. "Even when they have to leave, we still care for them and we still love them," Theresa says.

The Ripple Effect

The impact of this compassion extends far beyond shelter walls. Theresa says the most rewarding part is knowing residents carry their positive experience with them long after the disaster response ends.

"When people leave the shelters, they carry the Red Cross with them because we've treated them with dignity and respect," she explains. That emotional support during crisis can change how survivors view their recovery journey and their ability to rebuild.

The SRT role became official only recently, but volunteers like Theresa have been doing this work informally for years. She got her start during the Kentucky floods in April 2025, before the position had a formal title.

Now the Red Cross is actively recruiting more SRT volunteers as disasters continue to displace families nationwide. The role requires strong listening skills, compassion, and the ability to remain calm while helping people make difficult decisions about their future.

For Theresa, every deployment reinforces why she keeps answering the call. It's not just about finding people a place to go. It's about making sure they know someone cares about where they're headed.