Most people do not often associate rainbow hair, red noses and balloon animals with a tornado, earthquake or fire. However, to local clowns Janice Leslie-Irish and Kathy Walter, bringing laughter and comfort to people is a concept as natural as the disasters that can destroy a community.

When a disaster threatens or strikes, the Red Cross focuses on meeting people's immediate emergency disaster-caused needs including someone to talk to or counsel.

That’s why Leslie-Irish and Walter decided to join the Red Cross as Disaster Mental Health Service workers. They wanted to bring their clown background and mental health training to help people, especially children.

“Sometimes in disasters, we focus on adults and forget about the children. I wanted to work with the children and bring that point across,” says Leslie-Irish.

They may not dress as clowns when doing their mental health work, but they do incorporate their clowning experience into their work. They may make balloon animals or integrate their comedic side to make light of the situation.

“Laughter puts people at ease and serves as a distraction,” says Walter.

Both women have received professional licenses and mental health training. Leslie-Irish is a retired MPS employee with background in counseling and worked as a clown at shelters, parties and McDonalds. Walter has received licensed mental health training and has used her clowning to help autistic children.

Disaster Mental Health Service workers provide brief counseling to disaster victims and other workers. Disaster Mental Health Services staff are mental health professionals who provide intervention during a time of disaster and direct long term needs to local mental health providers. If you would like to join us as a Mental Health worker, visit our volunteer page.

The American Red Cross in Southeastern Wisconsin relies on donations of time and money so they can provide relief to victims of disasters and help people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies in Dodge, Kenosha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Walworth and Waukesha counties. To donate your time, please visit our Volunteer page. Financial donations can be made online through our secure contribution site.You can also support the Red Cross online by becoming a fan on our facebook page and following us on Twitter.