SPOTLIGHT SERIES
The Massachusetts American Red Cross Volunteer Spotlight
Red Cross Volunteer Spotlight: Tycho Dickerson
Written by Stacey Dexter, Red Cross volunteer
Featured in
Sleeves Up, Hearts Open, All In
The American Red Cross prevents and alleviates human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors. These are our stories.
January 2021
Photo of Tycho Dickerson courtesy of the Red Cross of Massachusetts
The SOS came in on a Friday night—a multiple building fire was wreaking havoc in a Massachusetts town, and the Red Cross dispatch operators were overwhelmed with callers, desperate for help. Newly trained volunteer Tycho Dickerson was asked if he could jump on dispatch and help with the call volume to assist those victims. At the time, he had no idea that this would be a nonstop eight hour shift.
Only 15 years old at the time, Tycho felt the adrenaline and urgency flow through him like a potent electrical current. From the moment he said, “yes,” the calls came in one after the other. When asked if he felt out of his depth, being so young and with only a little experience, he touted the leadership and support of one of his supervisors and lead disaster coordinator, Jim Mosso. They had done some training together, and he was impressed with Tycho from the beginning.
Mosso had faith in him and “promoted” him as a Temporary Dispatch. He assured Tycho that he was only a phone call away for any questions, giving him the confidence needed to be at the ready. Tycho says it was like, “flying the plane as he was building it.” He was responsible for assessing and confirming this disaster with local police and fire departments, and to place any victims in contact with the appropriate help (like housing, clothing, food, etc.). He said that he felt, “so helpful and alive.” He has never looked back.
Tycho agreed to do this story after a little hounding from me and a push from his supervisor, Jessica Bowe. He admits with a chuckle, “I can’t say no to Jess.” We both felt that Tycho had an important story to share; not only because of his young age, but also because he lives with a speech impediment caused by spastic cerebral palsy. These facts highlight that volunteering for the Red Cross is doable and attainable, whatever your age or circumstance.
Most teenagers likely find themselves pursuing high school sports, clubs, or extracurricular activities. A self-professed entrepreneur, Tycho began with an ambitious endeavor into video production when he was just 13 years old. Unfortunately, few took him seriously, given his age and inexperience. A fast learner, Tycho welcomes a challenge and wanted to discover other ways to use his talents and expand his skills. As he began his online research, he developed strong feelings—a calling towards belonging and purpose.
In short, Tycho was looking for a mission; one that used his considerable, innate computer skills, intertwined with helping people in need. He had no idea when he signed on with the Red Cross in July of 2017 that he would find all of this—and much more. Now 17 years old and a seasoned volunteer, Tycho feels that he has found “his people.” He told me that he had always been looking for his North Star and feels that he has found it with the American Red Cross. His online navigation led him to his purpose.
Tycho initially was trained as an admin in the financial review and data section of the RC. This allowed him to work remotely, using his natural computer skills. This task usually involves focusing on numbers and a plethora of important data entry. However, when he came across some information connecting some data to a woman who had lost her child in a disaster, it affected him emotionally. There were people attached to these numbers. This experience was one that cemented his vision for what he wants his life to be—helpful, kind, dependable.
Currently, Tycho is the Lead Volunteer for the Volunteer Connections portal. He acts as an intermediate for the site developers, volunteer inquires, and online chat. This is how I met and got to know Tycho; while volunteering some time to compile data entry, I needed his computer expertise several times. He was very patient and explained things perfectly.
He is also a volunteer, (with 10 other paid employees), on the Tech Solutions Team. This team was formed with the purpose of creating systems to implement changes by introducing new software to improve functionality for users. Simply put, he wants to make things easier.
With his parents’ permission, Tycho now volunteers between 20-40 hours per week for the regional Medford, Ma. chapter of the Red Cross—and does this while keeping up with his classes. He LOVES it. He adamantly told me that he has learned so much about leadership, teamwork, communication, and even the skills needed to write an effective email. He has gained priceless, real world experience and wishes more kids his age would volunteer for nonprofits like the RC; he suggests that it should be a requirement for graduation—an idea that could benefit so many.
Tycho also understands that hearing other people’s pain is not for everyone, but he knows himself and finds the work very fulfilling. He is truly in awe of other volunteers he has interacted with in many stressful situations. He states, “Red Cross volunteers are unstoppable in their dedication to the mission.” His many mentors and supervisors with whom he has worked along the way have impacted him greatly by modeling service as a way of life. He mentioned his first supervisor, Mariah Williams, current boss, Yvonne Gapa (at the Nat’l HQ), DAT Coordinator and mentor, Jim Mosso, and current supervisor, Jessica Bowe.
Naturally gregarious and funny, he kept me laughing throughout our interview, his sense of humor and quick wit both engaging and insightful. He says he doesn’t have a driver’s license yet because he’s, “too cheap to pay for the course,” feels that being forced to be in a classroom keeps him out of the sunshine, “prisoners get more time outside than students,” and that he is looking for “self-actualization.”
Tycho lives in Acton, Ma. with his parents, Kai and Todd, and younger sister, Charlotte. His (rare) downtime activities always include the outdoors, especially camping in NH. He also enjoys hanging with his best buddy Chris, going to Dunks during free periods, and watching adrenaline pumping television shows like “NCIS,” and “Blue Bloods.”
He is a remarkable young man in so many respects. I can easily envision him as a motivational speaker about volunteerism to middle school aged children and up. His easy-going nature and genuine love of service makes him the perfect candidate to convey this important message. I can’t wait to see what he does after graduation.
If you or someone you know would like to inquire about volunteering, please go to https://www.redcross.org/volunteer/become-a-volunteer.html#step1 for more information.
SPOTLIGHT SERIES cont.
THE MASSACHUSETTS AMERICAN RED CROSS VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
Red Cross Volunteer Spotlight: Jim Mosso
Written by Stacey Dexter, Red Cross volunteer
Featured in
Sleeves Up, Hearts Open, All In
The American Red Cross prevents and alleviates human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors. These are our stories.
November 2020
Pictured: Jim Mosso with Judge. Photo courtesy of Jim Mosso
There are so many wonderful, unique, and diverse people of all ages who volunteer for the American Red Cross. I recently had the opportunity to chat with 52 year old Jim Mosso, a volunteer now in his fifth year, who lives in Marlborough, Ma.
The story within the story is Jim’s first foray into the world of volunteering. Jim was in his early 30’s when he saw a news story about “Helping Hands, Monkey Hands for the Disabled.” His interest in primates spans decades, so he contacted the organization based in Boston and offered to become a foster/guardian for their retired Capuchin monkeys. This breed of monkey has delicate, dexterous hands that are able to perform tasks in the home in a variety of ways. The program’s clients include those with spinal cord injuries, mobility issues, and veterans.
Mosso began training, (which took almost a year), and was eventually matched with Gizzy, a 22 year old female monkey, retired from service to a disabled human. He currently fosters Judge, a 26 year old male. The care and responsibility for another life is immense, and the program’s success is dependent on those who can help to care for these beings after they are through with their assignments.
In 2015, a friend of Jim’s (who is a current RC volunteer), encouraged him to come on board. Jim tells me that his limited understanding of the RC was “blood related,” and he didn’t think that volunteering at blood drives was something he wanted to do. He would quickly discover that this is just a small part of what the RC offers our communities.
He is currently trained in disaster response and is the Duty Officer for his region. He is in multiple leadership roles. He has worked in communications as a Media Relations Coordinator, has been a photographer, and handles other roles…too many to list! He is currently helping the Red Cross with their fiscal review. The possibilities for volunteering are endless.
Jim is now in his second year guiding various youth programs in public schools across the state of Massachusetts. There are high school clubs that engage teenagers in creating fundraising events for the RC. This teaches them organizational, interpersonal, and leadership skills. It exposes the students to the impact of volunteering, not only for the RC, but for other nonprofits, as well.
There is also the Pillowcase Project. Volunteers are sent to elementary schools armed with white pillowcases and bags of colored markers. Each child receives one to decorate—for a very important reason: emergency preparedness.
The children are instructed to take the case home and fill it with a change of clothing, and maybe a special possession or two. If a situation arises in which they must leave their home immediately, the pillowcase is now ready to go. I had never heard of this program, and after speaking with Jim, I felt I’d better create my own!
Jim’s answer to why he graciously volunteers between 40-60 hours a week is simple and clear—he “likes to help people.” It isn’t about adrenaline or prestige; it’s about a true desire to be a supportive presence during the most heartbreaking moments in someone’s life.
House fires, natural disasters, gas explosions—this is when housing, clothing, and shelter are necessary components of the RC. However, human contact to those in horrific situations is also needed, and I feel that this is one of Jim’s super powers. He really cares about what is happening to others and experiences great satisfaction in knowing that he can bring the comfort and reliability of the RC to those who need it most.
Sometimes the events can be devastating to victims and volunteers. In Jim’s first year, he was dispatched to a house fire that killed two female college students. Hearing and feeling the palpable anguish from the survivors of the fire about the victims of that fire was emotional and painful.
RC volunteers are trained to respond to people that are in shock, terrified, and sometimes inconsolable—but there are always mental health professionals sent to these events to support both the victims and volunteers. Jim mentions that he has seen this component increase as the emotional impact of traumatic events on human beings is taken more seriously.
There are many ways to volunteer that don’t require exposure to disasters: data entry, blood drive assistance, delivering supplies and funds to victims, communications, media, etc. The Red Cross has something for everyone to help those in need, in person or virtually.
Though Covid-19 has changed the way the RC responds to disasters, there is always a way. Recently, Jim was coordinating volunteer efforts during the devastating wildfires in Oregon—all from his home in Massachusetts. He is admittedly always on call, but happy to be available. Even though (as a volunteer) he can refuse any assignment—he just doesn’t want to. He welcomes those calls at 3 am, answering a colleague’s question or mobilizing a team for a mission. He stresses that the RC provides stellar training and is always there to offer support. He never feels like he has to go it alone.
Disaster Action Team (DAT) response is by far Jim’s favorite assignment. In the context of great loss and pain, he feels useful giving guidance, direction, reassurance, and comfort to those that look to the RC for help. He is very thoughtful in his approach, resisting the impulse to say, “I know how you feel.” He watches his words. To me, he is a natural social worker, intent on helping people to regain their footing, without expecting any fanfare in return.
Jim hopes in sharing his story that it encourages others to consider volunteering for the Red Cross. He sees hope in the act of volunteering and has grown to love it. You too, could share in the feeling of being a useful, important presence during events that cannot be predicted. You too, can make a difference.
If you or someone you know would like to inquire about volunteering, please go to https://www.redcross.org/volunteer/become-a-volunteer.html#step1 for more information.
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