Haitian Migrants Strain Resources in Charleroi, Pennsylvania and Red Cross volunteer fired for social media posts

Keeping it Real, Thursday September 12, 2024

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Haitian Migrants Strain Resources in Charleroi, Pennsylvania

Charleroi, Pennsylvania, is facing growing challenges as an influx of Haitian migrants strains local schools and city services. With classrooms overcrowded and resources stretched thin, teachers are struggling to meet the needs of students, many of whom require extra support due to language barriers and past traumas. "We’re at capacity, and the lack of resources is impacting everyone," said one teacher who wished to remain anonymous.

City officials report that public services, including housing and healthcare, are overwhelmed, raising concerns among residents about the long-term sustainability of the town's support systems.

The school district reports a 2000% in young migrant children.

Police report Haitians have been involved in numerous traffic crashes in the community.

Watch my complete interview with a resident from the community below:

Red Cross Volunteer fired over social media posts

Zach Scherer, a Red Cross volunteer of nearly six years, claims his status was revoked due to his support for former President Donald Trump, sparking questions about the nonprofit organization's social media policies and perceived political bias.

Scherer says he received a letter from the Red Cross stating his volunteer status was terminated due to concerns about his social media presence. He described his shock, stating that his social media activity had not changed in the six years he had volunteered.

Watch my interview with Zack below:

"I was just in disbelief," Scherer said. "Over six years, and this is just now an occurrence. My social media hasn't changed in six years. It's been the same over and over."

The letter from the Red Cross did not specify which posts violated the organization’s policies, prompting Scherer to draft a letter asking for clarification. He expressed frustration that he was never informed about specific social media guidelines he may have violated.

Scherer stated that he never identified himself as a Red Cross volunteer in his social media posts, nor did he make any comments linking the organization to his political views. He said his posts merely showed support for Trump and the Republican Party, without any vulgarity or threats.

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"I went back as far as 2020 and didn't find anything that was discriminatory or vulgar," he said. "It seems like they’re targeting the right-hand side of things."

Scherer’s dismissal came shortly after he appeared on Fox News to discuss his experience at a Trump rally, where he volunteered as part of the event’s setup team. During the interview, he commented on the event's security, but he did not mention his affiliation with the Red Cross.

The timing of the dismissal has raised concerns that his participation in the Fox News interview may have influenced the Red Cross's decision. The organization’s letter was dated July 26, shortly after the interview aired.

Scherer said he has had positive relationships with his fellow Red Cross volunteers and supervisors, adding that his direct superior lives in his community. However, he believes his dismissal may be linked to broader political dynamics within the organization.

"It’s just disappointing," Scherer said. "I feel like these big corporations go woke, and they're losing good people because of it."

The Red Cross has not responded to requests for comment on the specific policies Scherer allegedly violated. He noted that the organization continues to advertise for more volunteers on its website, emphasizing the need for help amid ongoing disasters.

"I have no idea what I did wrong," Scherer said. "I never tied the Red Cross to my politics. I kept them separate."

Despite his dismissal, Scherer remains committed to helping others and says he would not return to the Red Cross, even if the organization were to apologize.

"I don’t think I’ll go back after this because now I know their true colors," he said. "They’re losing good people, and that’s just sad."

The Red Cross has not yet issued an official statement addressing Scherer’s claims.