Volunteer Spotlight: Vangie Hansen

By Giselle Gomez

Vangie Hansen, a licensed professional counselor, has traveled from Grand Junction, Colo., to assist with the relief and recovery efforts for Super Storm Sandy. As a part of the Disaster Mental Health Team, she is riding along with Red Cross emergency response vehicles (ERVs) based out of Fort Tilden in Queens, N.Y., that are traveling to hard hit areas like Breezy Point and the Rockaways.

The Disaster Mental Health Team is focused on providing crucial emotional support to residents of affected communities.

“There are great needs after a disaster,” said Vangie. “I feel honored and privileged to be able to help people that are going through hardships.”

Vangie is on her first national deployment and loves going out with the emergency response vehicles. Vangie and the disaster mental health team’s presence on the ERVs brings a truly holistic Red Cross response that includes not only critical supplies like food, water and blankets, but equally important emotional support and comfort to residents impacted by Super Storm Sandy.

“I loved being out at Breezy Point … knocking on doors and asking people how are they doing,” said Vangie. Their response was, ‘It’s so good to see a Red Cross person here.’”