Living the Mission: Malysha MacFarland serves communities in crisis with the American Red Cross

Malysha MacFarland, a second-year master's student in the Department of Public Service and Marquette Trinity Fellow, is making a difference through her work with the American Red Cross. As MacFarland prepares to graduate in May 2024, she reflects on how her role as a disaster response and community engagement associate has allowed her to support communities affected by natural disasters and help them rebuild.

MacFarland has been actively involved in various disaster relief efforts, most recently assisting in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl which struck Texas in early July 2024. "My experience with the American Red Cross has been incredibly rewarding," MacFarland says. "The work I do with the American Red Cross ranges from shelter operations to distributing relief supplies and offering emotional support to those impacted by disasters. Seeing the resilience of the people we serve and being part of their recovery is truly humbling." MacFarland's work typically focuses on responding to house fires in Milwaukee and disaster preparedness efforts. These efforts include teaching fire safety and installing smoke alarms throughout the city to help ensure the community is prepared to mitigate the effects of potential fire-related disasters.

Malysha MacFarland and her American Red Cross team assess damage and distribute clean-up supplies to the neighborhoods affected by the severe storms and Tornados that rolled through Southwest Wisconsin in June 2024.

Her drive to assist with Hurricane Beryl response efforts was motivated by knowing how disasters can impact individuals and communities, and the immense amount of effort it takes to help restore the damage from these devastating events. "The scale of devastation and the immediate need for support was a clear call to action for me," she explains. Now, with the threat of future hurricanes on the horizon, MacFarland's connection to disaster relief efforts has grown even stronger. Although her full-time studies prevent her from deploying to affected areas, she continues to support from behind the scenes by helping volunteers prepare for their deployments. "I'm thankful that I can share my experience with new volunteers, many of whom are deploying for the first time."

MacFarland's experience with disaster relief efforts has been primarily through her work with the American Red Cross; however, recently her father was caught in the path of Hurricane Helene, losing everything he owned in late September 2024. "I am incredibly grateful that he survived," she says. "These disasters often feel distant until they happen to someone you love. Climate change is worsening these events, and we cannot become desensitized. Instead, we should let them motivate us to help our neighbors and communities."

Outside of her professional commitments, MacFarland enjoys exploring Milwaukee's neighborhoods, discovering new coffee shops with her husband, and spending time with their two cats. An avid traveler who has visited over 14 countries, she hopes her experience with the American Red Cross will one day take her internationally. Additionally, she puts her undergraduate degree in TESOL Education to good use as a volunteer tutor for refugees through the English at Home: Refugee English Tutoring program with Catholic Charities. "I'm a bit of a volunteer junkie," MacFarland admits, "and I try to sign up for any opportunity to give back."

With a heart for service and a passion for community engagement, MacFarland is an example of how Marquette students are living out the university's mission of cura personalis - caring for the whole person - in times of need.

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