Ensuring that the Greater Richmond Area's culturally diverse communities have access to, and actively participate in, the delivery of its programs is the focus of the Chapter's Multicultural Services initiative. A one-year grant from The Community Foundation enabled the Chapter to build on its initial outreach efforts within the Hispanic community, which included the creation of an Hispanic Advisory Committee, collaboration with local organizations, churches and businesses in the provision of CPR and First Aid courses in Spanish, a VCU supported strategic planning process, and orientation sessions in Spanish for newly recruited Hispanic volunteers.

Success with its initial Hispanic outreach work led to the formation of the Chapter's first Multicultural Services Subcommitee of the Board. This subcommittee is comprised of members representing many of the area's diverse communities as well as local partner organizations and institutions of higher education. With guidance and support from these key subcommittee members, the Chapter has since been able to initiate collaborative efforts within the African American, Asian American and Muslim communities.
Efforts are also underway to build cultural awareness and understanding within the Chapter as well. To that end, and with direction from the Chief Operating Officer, a Diversity Learning Committee was formed. This committee is comprised of staff from the Chapter's respective departments.

In celebration of the Chapter's outreach efforts, representatives from the African American, Hispanic, Asian American, and Muslim communities were invited to join the paid staff at their monthly meeting to discuss ways in which the Red Cross has touched their lives. The event also featured performances from Spanish and Nepalese dancers in costume.

If you would like to learn more about the Chapter's multicultural outreach efforts and/or become directly involved as a volunteer, please contact Peter Von der Lippe, Cultural Outreach Program Manager at vonderlippep@usa.redcross.org or Deborah Newton, Volunteer Resources Manager at newtond@usa.redcross.org.