Local volunteer to help Haiti victims

Sturgeon Bay resident and Red Cross volunteer Shirley Senarighi is on her way to help the people affected by the massive earthquake in Haiti. Senarighi took a flight out of the Outagamie County Regional Airport Sunday afternoon.

"I think one of the things we need to do is listen," Senarighi told FOX 11. While the relief effort continues in Haiti, Senarighi is heading to Miami. The retired principal and guidance counselor will work as a mental health counselor with people who were injured in the earthquake and evacuated to the U.S.

"There are a lot of great people who provide those immediate needs in regards to food or shelter," Senarighi said. "But there's a lot of emotional experience going on for these people as well."

This is not Senarighi's first deployment. In 2008, she traveled to Illinois to help victims of the Midwest floods. A few months later, she traveled to Texas to help victims of Hurricane Ike.

"I've felt on the deployments I've been involved with the people really looked for our assistance and support," Senarighi said.

Senarighi added that victims of natural disasters typically go through the same emotions.

"The shock, the denial, depression," Senarighi said. "There are a lot of different things that I think regardless of the type of disaster, the reactions are often quite the same and they're very cyclical."

But with the massive devastation in Haiti, Senarighi is not sure what to expect. But she is happy to help.

"We need to give them a chance to talk about what happened," Senarighi said. "Then help reframe and think about what's next. We need to help them think about what's next."

Senarighi is planning to return to Wisconsin in early March. Although depending on the needs of the people, that time frame could change. While in Miami, she will also be helping some of the relief workers returning from Haiti.