<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto"><p class="s5" style="margin-top: 2px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px; text-align: center; font-size: 18px;"><span class="s4" style="line-height: 15.600000381469727px; font-size: 13px; font-family: "Calibri Light"; color: rgb(47, 84, 150);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 23.399999618530273px; font-size: 1.5em;">Miranda’s Reflection</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px; font-size: 18px;"><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> </span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px; font-size: 18px;"><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">I volunteer with the American Red Cross Service to Armed Forces division as a virtual caseworker for a minimum of 10 hours per month and have done so since March 2020. More often than not, my hours exceed the minimum amount required by the position. In this role, I provide follow up </span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">services </span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">to the military community regarding emergency communication messages related to births, illness, injuries, or deaths within the service member’s immediate family. I am expected to log case notes within the online database system for my assigned cases, and I have found this process to be very accessible with my assistive technology. My work is conducted via telephone and email communication. I have been provided with a Red Cross email addres</span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">s to protect my personal information. While I initially attempted to utilize Google Voice for the same reason, I have found it more efficient to simply utilize my own personal telephone number. This </span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">privileged</span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> information has not been compromised by anyone with whom I have interacted. This has been a rewarding experience, and I look forward to growing in the position in the months and years ahead.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px; font-size: 18px;"><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="margin-top: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px; text-align: center; font-size: 18px;"><span class="s2" style="line-height: 19.200000762939453px; font-size: 16px; font-family: "Calibri Light"; color: rgb(47, 84, 150);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 28.799999237060547px; font-size: 1.5em;">Area Representative with Youth for Understanding</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px; font-size: 18px;"><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">March 2015 – Present</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px; font-size: 18px;"><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> </span></p><p class="s5" style="margin-top: 2px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px; text-align: center; font-size: 18px;"><span class="s4" style="line-height: 15.600000381469727px; font-size: 13px; font-family: "Calibri Light"; color: rgb(47, 84, 150);"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="line-height: 23.399999618530273px; font-size: 1.5em;">Training and Support Reflection</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px; font-size: 18px;"><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> </span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px; font-size: 18px;"><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">While I do not recall the number of training hours I initially received as it has been five years, I feel it was thorough in preparing me for the position responsibilities. Moreover, relevant training and support is always available via regional and national leadership. While I have not found the third-party system with which I am to renew my Department of State certification to be accessible with my assistive technology, organizational leadership has been more than willing to aid me in this process where needed. Moreover, Aira would be an alternative resource for </span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">completing this ongoing training requirement as well. Local support is also available in the form of fellow volunteers and host families who are willing to accommodate my needs in ensuring I meet with students and families at an accessible location. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Department of State needed to make some difficult decisions regarding their cultural exchange programs. Youth for Understanding has been forthcoming with information as it becomes available, and we have all</span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> needed to be flexible and gracious in our communication efforts.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px; font-size: 18px;"><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> </span></p><br><div dir="ltr">Sent from my iPhone</div></body></html>