Coffee is brewing, servers are yelling out names, it all feels like a normal day at local Coppell cafe George’s Coffee & Provisions in 2022, abruptly interrupted with alarming gunshots ringing deep in Coppell High School senior Tvisha Jindal’s ears.
In disbelief of what Jindal had witnessed, the panicking event forever changed her future plans, encouraging her to begin studying public health advocacy.
Jindal is the Coppell Red Cross Club president for the 2024-25 school year and American Red Cross North Texas executive line of service officer. Jindal originally started as a member in 2021 as a freshman, actively volunteering at local blood drives and senior centers.
“When I was a local member, I had a couple of ideas to add to an event, not even as my role as an officer but the adults made that happen, which made me feel really included,” Jindal said.
After a year of volunteering, Jindal’s membership inspired her to pursue regional roles and impacts such as ideas for youth disaster expansion in the Los Angeles region. Introducing the expansion of first aid events on disaster service, Jindal led a three-day camp to introduce these new programs to newer youth members, including training for active shooters, fire alarms, safety drills and more.
“During the Ready TEEN program active shooter training, it was clear Tvisha was super passionate about the cause,” North Texas Red Cross youth supervisor Devaditya Ray said. “She definitely works well with her team.”
Jindal’s interest in advocating public health grew stronger. Eventually, her involvement in youth preparedness and public health advocacy motivated Jindal to apply for an executive line of service officer position, with hopes of creating an impact on a national scope.
“Advocating for what you believe in and then being willing to get there to make it happen is so important, especially with reproductive legislation,” Jindal said. “We have to advocate for people’s rights, including safety and mental health; we need to create better policies for us to access resources.”
Her position as a part of the Red Cross North Texas executive Board presented her with the opportunity to make her visions for the programs come true. Organizing Totes of Hope, a donation drive that supports homeless veterans by providing personal care supplies distributions, Jindal initiated and coordinated with the Red Cross Youth Philanthropy Team.
“She has pursued powerful projects and has relayed meaningful missions to the community,” Red Cross North Texas regional manager Shelley Vanlaningham said.
Alongside her work with the Red Cross North Texas region, Jindal took on the role of co-president of the Coppell Red Cross Club, forming the club into what it is today. As current co-president of the Red Cross, Jindal and senior co-president Divya Sivalenka have future plans for the club, filled with potential.
“We want to host the ReadyTEENS program again, including events that were successful last year like CAPEL [charity supporting those in need during emergencies ]and blood drives, and focus on helping minority groups.,” Jindal said
Jindal’s goals are to continue her time at the Red Cross, specifically fire alarms and weaponry safety camps nationwide and improving services and advocating for safety. It will also bring more recognition to youth in disaster services. She hopes to fulfill these goals by partaking in volunteering internationally to be disaster-ready and participate in deployment for Doctors Without Borders to scope out on an international level.
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