“Community service with a twist” may be a good way to describe the American Red Cross Rapid Response Corps, a Red Cross spokesman said.

The Metropolitan Atlanta Red Cross' recruiting effort for its newest 15-person team is now underway.

The new group of responders will spend 10 months working in local disaster assistance programs and responding to national Red Cross disaster missions. The Red Cross has joined with AmeriCorps, a national service program, to form the local team that will start work in September and finish next July. Atlanta is one of nine U.S. cities with Red Cross Rapid Response Corps teams.

According to Deborah Freeman, one of the program's administrators, this will be the third year for the program in the local area. “The Rapid Response Corps has provided a great opportunity for more than 30 young people and has enabled the Atlanta Red Cross chapter to expand its service to the community,” she explained.

The experience has been a good one for the current team that came together last September, she said. Shai Stephenson, a 1998 Clark University graduate, joined the program because she wanted a short term opportunity to give her experience, allow her to help other people and make a little money for graduate school. She was not disappointed.

“I can't think of a better program for people in transition,” she said. “This job is like no other. I have friends who make a lot more money than I do, but they all hate their jobs. The Rapid Response Corps is always exciting and many days are filled with hugs and smiles.

Stephenson has responded to two national disaster assignments. The first came early this year when she traveled to Texas to work in a shelter helping residents there recover from flooding. She later worked with tornado victims in Vienna, Ga. “I have never done anything this rewarding before,” she said. “I love knowing I made a difference in someone's life.”

Jack Ko has served as Stephenson's partner at the Red Cross' South Metro Service Center in Morrow since they joined the program last September. The South Metro center is the one serving Fayette County. The 1998 Emory University graduate is also a believer in the program.

“The Rapid Response Corps is a great opportunity to test yourself,” he said, “and to find out how flexible you can be.” He echoed Stephenson's words when he added, “You can make a difference in someone's life.”

Elizabeth Torrone, a 1998 graduate of High Point University in North Carolina, is another current rapid responder serving at the Northwest Metro Red Cross Service Center in Marietta. She provided a more practical review of the program.

“The Rapid Response Corps is an incredible program that all college students should consider,” she said. “The post graduation worries such as a job, health insurance, student loans, how to get the experience that all employers want and what to do with your life are answered by corps service.”

Stephenson also stressed the practical value of the program. “Before, I had nothing on my resume. Less than a year later I have teaching, casework, public speaking, travel, CPR and first aid training and the list goes on.”

Corps members receive a weekly living allowance of approximately $225 and at the successful conclusion of their assignment receive an education award of $4,725 that can be used to help pay off student loans or to finance college, graduate school or vocational training.

Candidates must be at least 18; be available full-time, including some weekend and evening hours, for 10 months; be able to participate in national disaster assignments for up to three weeks at a time with little advance notice; be interested in teaching/training; have at least one year of prior national or local volunteer experience; possess a current and valid driver's license; have at least a GED or high school diploma; be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national or a lawful permanent resident alien of the U.S.

Team members will receive extensive Red Cross disaster response/preparedness training and will do such things as teach disaster programs to school children, respond to local and national disasters such as fires, floods, hurricanes and tornadoes, and join other AmeriCorps members in community projects.

Interested persons may submit resumes to Deborah Freeman, Metropolitan Atlanta Chapter of the American Red Cross, Rapid Response Corps, 1955 Monroe Drive, NE, Atlanta 30324. Resumes also can be faxed to 404-575-3083 or e-mailed to americorps@arcatl.org.

Applications and instructions will be mailed to qualified candidates. A Rapid Response Corps information line may be called at 404-873-6227, ext. 3202. The Red Cross Web site, www.redcross.org/atlanta, also has information about the program. Interviews will begin in early July.

“It's the coolest job you'll ever have,” said Torrone.