The mission of the American Red Cross in Greater New York is to help people avoid, prepare for, and cope with emergencies; to enhance self-reliance and concern for others; and to improve the quality of human life.

Description and/or History:
We exist as a disaster-relief organization, assisting citizens of all five boroughs of the city who have been affected by disasters such as fires, floods, building collapses and other great calamities. We teach life-saving health and safety courses such as CPR and AED, and teach disaster preparedness classes that are free to the public.
The American Red Cross, as one of the nation's premier humanitarian organizations, is dedicated to helping people in need throughout the United States and, in association with other Red Cross societies, throughout the world. It depends on generous contributions of time, blood, tissue, and money from the American public to its national headquarters and chapters and blood regions throughout the country in support of its lifesaving services and programs.

Clara Barton and a circle of acquaintances founded the American Red Cross in Washington, D.C. on May 21, 1881. Barton headed the Red Cross for 23 years, during which time it conducted its first domestic and overseas disaster relief efforts, aided the United States military during the Spanish-American War, and campaigned successfully for the inclusion of peacetime relief work as part of the International Red Cross Movement.

As a member of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, which it helped found in 1919, the American Red Cross joins more than 175 other national societies in bringing aid to victims of disasters throughout the world.

Contact person: Volunteer Resources Department, (212) 875-2068, (email)

Address:

520 W. 49th Street New York, NY 10019 (See a map)

Directions:

Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: C&E line, 50th Street,   Walk distance (in minutes): 5   Nearest Bus Stop: M50, 2 minute walk