The American Red Cross, Southern Arizona Chapter is the only Red Cross chapter in America who has a Service to the Armed Forces AmeriCorps program. Our program, named “Operation Desert Home,” has 10 AmeriCorps members from varied military backgrounds – as retirees, veterans, and spouses. Our experience enables us to understand the unique culture of military life. We serve the Southern Arizona community from locations in Tucson, Sierra Vista, Santa Cruz County, Safford (Graham/Greenlee Counties), and Phoenix.
Did you know?: America's military and the American Red Cross have enjoyed a long and productive partnership. History buffs can read an historical overview, from the Spanish-American War through present times, at our national web site. In Southern Arizona, we've opened and closed over 150 military family cases since October 2010.
"You have been our angels. Every time I have called, you have always been there..."
-Southern Arizona Chapter SAF Client
The American Red Cross offers confidential services to all military personnel — National Guard, Reserves and Veterans — and their families. Counseling, guidance, information, referrals and other social services are available through our worldwide network of chapters and offices on military installations.
As more and more National Guard and Reserve units are called to full-time duty status, counseling has become increasingly important to prepare the civilian-based military members and their families for the period of activation. Because members of the National Guard and Reserve typically live in civilian neighborhoods, they and their families frequently have difficulty accessing much-needed, military-related social services.
Read how we recently helped one veteran suffering from post-traumatic stress. Story >>
Contact us for Information & Referral help: (520) 318-6740 x 264 or ewatts [at] redcrossarizona.org
Holiday Mail for Heroes
The Southern Arizona Red Cross has carried out this letter-writing program for our troops,
in partnership with Operation Gratitude, and the help of organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club, Girl Scouts, public schools, and more.
If you're interested in hosting a cardmaking event, or have questions about Holiday Mail for Heroes, we'd love to hear from you. Please contact us at (520) 318-6740 x 264 or ewatts [at] redcrossarizona.org
Emergency Communication Services
When a military family experiences a crisis (such as, but not limited to, a death or serious illness in the family), the American Red Cross is there to assist by providing emergency communications twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year. The Red Cross relays urgent messages containing accurate, factual, complete and verified descriptions of the emergency to service members stationed anywhere in the world, including ships at sea, embassies and remote locations.
How to contact us for Emergency Communication Services
If you are an Active duty service member stationed in the United States, or a family member residing with them, call (877) 272-7337 (toll-free).
Contact the Southern Arizona Red Cross chapter, if you are:
Family members of active duty service members who do not reside in the service members' household,
Family members of Department of Defense Civilians assigned overseas
members of the National Guard and Reserves,
recruiters, MEPS military personnel
veterans and civilians
When calling the Red Cross, please provide as much of the following information about the service member as is known:
Full name
Rank/rating
Branch of service (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard)
Social Security Account number or date of birth
Military address
Information about the deployed unit and home base unit (for deployed service members only)
Financial Assistance
The Southern Arizona Red Cross works under partnership agreements with the Air Force Aid Society, Army Emergency Relief, Coast Guard Mutual Assistance, and Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society to provide quality, reliable financial assistance to eligible applicants 24/7/365. Types of assistance include financial assistance for emergency travel, burial of a loved one, assistance to avoid privation, and more.
In Southern Arizona, we provide referrals for rent assistance, utility assistance, mortgage forbearance, and financial counseling, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and more, in collaboration with our partner agencies.
Casualty Travel Assistance Program
The Casualty Travel Assistance Program (CTAP) provides travel assistance for two immediate family members to attend a memorial or funeral service for a service member killed on active duty in the combat zone and to travel to the bedside of a service member wounded in the combat zone. Assistance includes funding for roundtrip airfare, lodging costs, and food and incidentals.
How to Contact Us For Financial Assistance
Contact us at (520) 318-6740 x 264 or ewatts [at] redcrossarizona.org if you are:
Active duty members on leave
Family members of active duty service members who do not reside in the service members' household,
Members of the National Guard and Reserves,
Recruiters, MEPS military personnel and
Military retirees
When calling the Red Cross, please provide as much of the following information about the service member as is known:
Full name
Rank/rating
Branch of service (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard)
Social Security Account number or date of birth
Military address
Information about the deployed unit and home base unit (for deployed service members only)
Service for Veterans
Veterans Affairs Volunteer Services
Red Cross volunteer services to U.S. veterans date back to World War I and are consistent with the mission of its congressional charter. Today, the Red Cross is proud to maintain its commitment to the sick and disabled men and women who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Veterans Claims for Benefits
The Red Cross provides assistance and information in preparing, developing, and obtaining sufficient evidence to support applicants’ claims for veterans’ benefits and also assists claimants who seek to appeal to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA).
Your Opportunity to Serve—and Say “Thanks”
How You Can Help
Volunteers from Red Cross chapters and Red Cross offices on military installations serve in 153 VA hospitals around the nation. It is their way of saying thank-you to that special group of men and women who answered their country’s call and who are now cared for each day in VA medical centers and community-based outpatient clinics. The opportunities for volunteers to meet the great needs in these centers include:
Working in libraries, bringing magazines, books, and comfort items to patients
Providing companionship and personal services to patients
Working in hospital offices, laboratories and at information desks
Raising funds to support veterans’ activities and material needs
Participating in outreach opportunities in community-based outpatient clinics, nursing homes and home visitations
You can volunteer on a regularly scheduled basis or on an occasional basis working on special projects. Regardless of how one serves, being able to reach out to these men and women has special rewards.
Contact information: To express your interest in becoming a Veterans Affairs Volunteer in Southern Arizona, contact our Volunteer Coordinator at (520) 318-6863.
Reserves and National Guard
Just like active duty military members, civilian-based military members also benefit from American Red Cross services. The Red Cross supports the nearly 1.2 million members of the Reserves and National Guard and their families living in their local communities and when they are mobilized. Red Cross services are also available to members of the Reserve Officers Training Corps, U.S. Coast Guard, Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, NOAA, recruiters, retirees and to their families.
The American Red Cross wants members of the National Guard, Reserves and other community-based military personnel to get to know us before you need us. All too often, members of the Reserves and National Guard don't know about available Red Cross services until they are mobilized. Knowing in advance that communication links, access to financial assistance and counseling will be available in an emergency brings peace of mind to the military and to the families from whom they are separated. Similarly, knowing that Red Cross services are available to inactive service members and their family members provides a safety net in times of need.
Red Cross services for members of the Reserves and National Guard include:
Emergency communication
Access to Emergency Financial Assistance
Counseling
Veterans services
Information and referral provided by Services to Armed Forces.
How to Contact Us - Reserves & National Guard
Active-duty service members stationed in the United States and family members residing with them: Call 877-272-7337 (toll-free).
Family members who do not reside in the service members' household, members of the National Guard and Reserves, retirees and civilians: Contact us at (520) 318-6740 x 264 or ewatts [at] redcrossarizona.org.
Full name
Rank/rating
Branch of service (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard)
Social Security Number or Date of Birth
Military address
Information about the deployed unit and home base unit (for deployed service members only)
Coming Home from Deployment
Today’s service members are facing repeated deployments, and many experience negative impacts on their mental health. It is well known that many service members are returning from deployments suffering from depression, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI). The military is also experiencing alarming increases in suicides.
Although many men and women return from a conflict are and successfully adjust to their lives out of theater, others have difficulty in readjusting or transitioning to family life, to their jobs, and to living in their communities after deployment. Some of the challenges facing families after a long deployment are readjusting to partners who assumed new roles during the separation, readjusting to children who have matured and may resent additional oversight, re-establishing bonds with their spouse and children, and managing the long-term health problems that are prevalent after deployment, such as PTSD, TBI and depression.
Although many parents and children cope effectively with the challenges of military life, deployments threaten the stability of many military families. The Red Cross has developed the Coming Home From Deployment: The New “Normal” booklet to assist these families with what may be a difficult and complicated transition home.
In Southern Arizona, we attend Yellow Ribbon events, for military members returning from deployment, to let them know we’re here and the variety of services we can provide during reintegration.
Coping with Deployments
Helping Military Families Be Strong ThroughCoping with Deployments: Psychological First Aid for Military Families
With today's pace of military deployments, the armed forces are paying increasing attention to preparing service members to cope with the psychological stress of combat and its aftermath. The Red Cross believes it is equally important to prepare family members to ensure they are better able to deal with the challenges of 'serving' at home while their loved one is deployed.
Coping with Deployments: Psychological First Aid for Military Families was developed out of the Red Cross' continuing commitment to serve military families. This course was designed specifically for the spouses, parents, siblings and significant others of service members. It provides useful information on how to strengthen your ability to successfully respond to the challenges that military family members may encounter throughout the deployment cycle. It also explains how to provide psychological first aid to others experiencing stressful feelings or events. See brochure.
Deployment Tips
For a wealth of ideas to help before, during, and after deployment, visit our deployment tips web page >>
If you're a business or organization who assists or would like to assist military families and veterans, please contact (520) 318-6740 x 264 or ewatts [at] redcrossarizona.org.
To learn about volunteer opportunities, including the role of Veterans Affairs Volunteers in Southern Arizona, contact our Volunteer Coordinator at (520) 318-6863.
The American Red Cross, Southern Arizona Chapter is the only Red Cross chapter in America who has a Service to the Armed Forces AmeriCorps program. Our program, named “Operation Desert Home,” has 10 AmeriCorps members from varied military backgrounds – as retirees, veterans, and spouses. Our experience enables us to understand the unique culture of military life. We serve the Southern Arizona community from locations in Tucson, Sierra Vista, Santa Cruz County, Safford (Graham/Greenlee Counties), and Phoenix.
Did you know?: America's military and the American Red Cross have enjoyed a long and productive partnership. History buffs can read an 
Red Cross volunteer services to U.S. veterans date back to World War I and are consistent with the mission of its congressional charter. Today, the Red Cross is proud to maintain its commitment to the sick and disabled men and women who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Today’s service members are facing repeated deployments, and many experience negative impacts on their mental health. It is well known that many service members are returning from deployments suffering from depression, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI). The military is also experiencing alarming increases in suicides. 
