Fresno native Brian Van Anne, director of Genesis Family Center's foster care program, volunteered through the Red Cross to help provide mental health services to victims of Hurricane Katrina. Tonight, he leaves for a two-week stint. He will share his experiences each day with Bee readers.

Friday morning I was checking e-mails at work when I came across one from the Red Cross requesting help from social workers willing to provide mental health services.

My wife and I had been following the news stories at night before we went to bed. We were interested in helping out, but weren't sure what the best way would be. Most likely we were just going to send a check and, of course, keep praying for the victims.

When I read that e-mail on Friday morning, I made a quick phone call to the Red Cross before our weekly staff meeting and started to carry on with the rest of my day. Around lunchtime I got a call back asking if I was really interested in volunteering my time. I was. After checking with my supervisor, I signed up for the Red Cross' disaster class. Word got around of what I had done and within about half an hour my supervisor, Carol Dela Torre, CEO Elaine Bernard and one of our social workers, Michelle Molina, joined me in signing up for this two-week assignment.

The four of us attended the disaster class that afternoon and four hours later we were ready to go. Due to the service we provide, the Red Cross expedited our paperwork. Monday afternoon we received a call saying we are scheduled to leave Tuesday night at 6:30 p.m.

This morning, we are meeting at the Red Cross office for last-minute instructions and to receive our itinerary. The Red Cross stressed two main things in training: "We will not knowingly put you in harm's way" and "Be flexible." When we left on Friday, we were under the impression that we were headed either to Houston or Miami. Nobody would be sent to Louisiana due to the uncertainty of the area, we thought. Today when we received our assignment call we were told we would be flying into Houston and caravanning to Baton Rouge. I guess this is the first example of needing to be flexible.

Today I will buy a sleeping bag and head into work for a few hours to wrap up some loose ends. We were told to expect the worst, pack light and be prepared to be mobile. They warned us there might not be electricity, fresh running water or shelter while we are there. They said to pack lots of bug spray, sunscreen and cotton clothes and expect it to be hot and humid. They want to prepare us for the worst so when we get there we won't be shocked. I have a feeling I'll still be shocked. I have no idea what to expect, I just hope I can help some people get through this terrible tragedy. I'm nervous and excited at the same time. I have already received tremendous amounts of support from family, friends and co-workers, which I'm extremely grateful for; I have a feeling I'm going to need all of it and more once I get there.