From client to disaster responder: Jessica’s journey to the Red Cross

By Jennifer Costa, Regional Communications Director

Hurricane Ida unleashed fury not seen in Louisiana since Katrina devastated the region 16 years prior. As 150 mile per hour winds battered the state’s coastline – and thousands were evacuating, Vermonter Jessica Masten was traveling 1600 miles into the storm. The drive took days, but she made it to Livingston Parish post landfall. This was her first deployment with the American Red Cross.

“I didn’t really know what to expect,” she said.

For the next two weeks Jessica served the people of Louisiana as a Mass Care Shelter Associate working the night shift. From 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., it was her job to ensure the shelter’s snacks were plentiful, the coffee was hot and the clients were comfortable. But there was another task she took most seriously.

“We walked around and talked with the people who were staying at the shelters. They just wanted to talk. They wanted to tell their story – and we just listened,” she said. “There was so much emotion and gratitude. There were prayers circles, and people were giving thanks to the Red Cross for being there.”

There were tales of rescues – and stories of complete destruction. Not only did she listen, but she could relate to their heartache and fears. While this was Jessica’s first volunteer deployment, it was not her first encounter with disasters – or the humanitarian mission of the American Red Cross.

“In 2005, I lost my house to a fire and Red Cross volunteers were the first people there. They put me in a hotel and talked me through what would happen next. They made sure I had toiletries and the emergency things you don’t really think about. When you leave your house in the morning and you come back and have nothing left, it’s overwhelming,” she said.

Twelve years later she crossed paths with the Red Cross once more. It was 2017. Jessica was in Puerto Rico when Hurricane Maria hit.

“And again the Red Cross showed up with water and blankets,” she remembered, “It doesn’t matter what the disaster is. The Red Cross is there. They give so much and so freely.”  

After that, she knew what she had to do. Despite balancing a job with the postal service and six grandchildren, she didn’t hesitate. Jessica joined the Red Cross.

“I just wanted to be that comfort when someone loses everything. I wanted to be that person that they saw – and that they knew things were going to be okay.”

Back at the Louisiana shelter, the first days were admittedly hard. Power was only quasi-restored in the area. Things were still being set-up – and she was adjusting to sleeping in an auditorium with little privacy and dozens of other volunteers. They were existing in a world where chaos was swirling around them – and Jessica loved every challenging minute.

“It was eye-opening. I saw love I didn’t know existed,” she said before offering this advice to prospective volunteers, “Take all your expectations and throw them out the window. Expect such chaos, but remember it’s only temporary for you. You get to come back to your real life.”

Jessica returned to her Vermont life on September 11^th, but she already has her eye on the next disaster. She is currently working on becoming a shelter supervisor – and recruiting others to join her.

“I’m trying to get my mom to deploy,” she said with a smile. “The experience was absolutely worth it. It was a success. I can’t wait to go back.”

Our Lifesaving mission wouldn't be possible without volunteers. In Dec. 2022, we checked in with Jessica and she is still actively involved with the Red Cross and recommends volunteering to others as a way to turn compassion into action.

Whether a crisis is felt by an entire community or a single person, it turns lives upside down — especially for the most vulnerable, who depend on the Red Cross for help and hope. To support our mission visit: www.redcross.org/NNEHoliday.