This week's soapblogger, Vince Costello, has seen the world - but not in the way that many hope for - Costello serves as Director of International Services with the Cincinnati Area Chapter of the American Red Cross, a position that has deployed him to the frontline of national and international disasters. Costello reflects on his own journey and how the recent earthquake disaster in Haiti reminds us of the impact we can have locally and nationally when others are in need.
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Soapblog: Making a Difference at Home and Around the World
Posted By: Vince Costello
1/19/2010
The vision: Strive, through voluntary action, for a world of empowered communities, better able to address human suffering and crises with hope, respect for dignity and concern for equity. The mission: Improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity.
My desire to be of service to others runs parallel to the vision and the mission of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) founded in 1863 and the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
As a youngster coming in to the world at my namesake Hospital, St Vincents in New York City, and growing up in Oradell, New Jersey, New York City was my sandbox. I found myself in Cincinnati, OH sometime before my freshman year in college on a trip to visit a friend who was a student at Xavier University. It was during that time I came to realize Xavier University was the place to be. As many first year college students, I knew little about what I wanted to do. I knew I wanted to work with people and that was as close as I could get through sophomore year. I considered quitting and then chose to major in sociology. During my senior year I took an elective course titled "Introduction to Social Work" - the instructor provided me an opportunity for exposure to social work through a social service agency. That agency was the Red Cross, where I volunteered two afternoons a week in the department that was then known as the "Service to Military Families and Veterans." I soon came to realize the Red Cross was more than an organization that provided CPR and First Aid training, but it was an organization that offered services through military, health & safety and during disasters.
Through this single volunteer opportunity, I realized that my calling was to be fulfilled through the Red Cross; first serving as a casework specialist, case work supervisor and director of Social Services - a position I held for 13 years. I served with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) as a Tracing Delegate in Macedonia during the Kosovo conflict providing Family Linking services to Albanian, Serbian and Roma refugees. It was through my passion for International Services that the International Services Department at the Cincinnati Area Chapter of the American Red Cross evolved and was created in September of 1999.
And instead of joining the military as my high school counselor suggested when I shared my interest to see the world, I joined the Red Cross and for 36 years have helped people all over the world in a neutral and impartial way, made friends in places I never thought I would see, and never had to carry a gun, or choose one person over another to help. As a social worker by trade I have realized that the values of Social Work and the Principles of the Red Cross are very closely aligned. It is for that reason I have stayed so long - and the ride is not over yet either.
Haiti has brought back a flood of memories of past disaster assignments I have been a part of over my long career. The hardest part is seeing the children who are helpless and at the same time dependent upon adults to help them. As in all disasters, the children are also the most vulnerable and the Red Cross Movement response has and will continue to target the most vulnerable. There are none more vulnerable than infants and children. Our Red Cross partners around the world will work tirelessly for as long as it takes from emergency needs through recovery. I would love to be there, but recognize where ever I am, working for the Red Cross doing what I am doing is the best place to be.