How long have you been Volunteering for WCC
I have been volunteering with WCC, since the 2019 BOGX.
Why did you choose to volunteer for WCC?
With my background in environmental safety training, I was interested in the Boots on the Ground exercise, and WCC was recommended to me by a friend and fellow WCC volunteer (Simon Pereira), so I decided to sign up and come see what the event was about. Ever since that day I have been an active WCC volunteer.
What are you doing to help the community through your volunteering with WCC?
With my background as an environmental health hazard safety instructor and in emergency response (as a Hoboken & Jersey City, NJ CERT team member – Community Emergency Response Teams), I hope to lend my knowledge, expertise and teaching experience with various groups which WCC serves, and I have spoken to several community groups for WCC on the varied topics of Ebola, Flood and Mold Response and Opioids.
What do you hope to provide through your volunteering efforts?
Through my volunteering efforts I hope to share my knowledge with community groups and WCC clients, and to expand into new areas wher I can be of assistance.
What skills from your background or work experience are you applying to volunteering?
I have over 10 years experience as an environmental safety instructor and as an Industry Skills Instructor for 32BJ SEIU in New York. I am an EPA Certified Lead-Based Paint Risk Assessor and a NYS Department of Labor Licensed Mold Abatement Supervisor. I have taught lead classes alone about 500 times. I have also been a CERT team member in various NJ municipalities since 2013, and as such have had emergency management training in everything from medical operations to fire safety to disaster psychology. For the last 8 weeks I have been volunteering with Hoboken CERT’s emergency call center, and have helped screen 100’s of residents seeking COVID-19 testing. Prior to that, I worked as a volunteer member of the Hudson Regional Health Commission Medical Reserve Corps., also screening people at Hudson Regional Hospital in Secaucus.
What kind of insights have you gained from volunteering for WCC?
Through volunteering, I have come to appreciate the needs of certain communities we serve, like the Rockaways, and to try to help provide information that assists people with their problems. I also look forward to more hands-on involvement in the future.
Share one of your favorite volunteering moments with WCC.
My favorite volunteering moment with WCC was probably the first time I ever participated at a WCC event. I showed up for the 2019 BOG X fully intending to participate and learn. When I checked in, they asked me about my background, and when they found out what I do, I was instantly converted into a PPE Instructor, and instead spent the day teaching all participants how to don and doff PPE. Completely unexpected, but that was what WCC needed that day and I was able to step up and fill the role. I had a great time and was able to help in my first encounter with WCC.
In closing what would you say to Potential WCC volunteer?
I would tell any potential volunteers that this is an organization that is growing and expanding and that there is definitely a place for anyone who wants to work for good causes, with dedicated but fun people. This is a great time to get involved with WCC.
