SPOKANE, Wash. — When evacuation orders swept through the Spokane area during the recent fires, Elysee Kazadi faced a choice like many others: protect his own home or help his community. He chose to help.
Kazadi, who immigrated from the Democratic Republic of Congo, rushed to the Red Cross shelter instead of going home to check on his belongings. His decision to prioritize his community’s needs during a crisis has now earned him recognition at the national level.
The Courage Project has awarded Kazadi for his dedication and service during the emergency. The honor recognizes his critical work translating for evacuees who arrived at Red Cross shelters unable to communicate in English.
“I used to volunteer back home, and then here. I have some skills and I’m sure families that came just like me and don’t know English and don’t know what’s happening could probably use some help,” Kazadi said.
Kazadi has been volunteering with the Red Cross since 2020, using his fluency in Swahili to bridge communication gaps for people in his community. When the fires forced hundreds of people to evacuate six weeks ago, the Red Cross rushed to organize shelters for those unable to return to their homes. It took a team of volunteers to ensure those shelters had everything evacuees needed, and Kazadi became an essential part of that effort.
“To help my community, that’s the only way I can help. I’m not a millionaire or billionaire, so volunteering is how I find joy,” Kazadi said.
Kazadi started helping people at Spokane Falls Community College’s shelter, and when power issues forced a transition, he continued his work at the Spokane Convention Center. His commitment went beyond a single shift—he worked through the night to support evacuees.
“I made the whole shift or so until morning, and then came back on Sunday and did another shift. 8 p.m. to 8 a.m.,” Kazadi said.
When he arrived at the shelter, Kazadi discovered he had already built relationships with some of the evacuees through his previous volunteer work. He was able to help them understand what was happening and navigate the shelter resources available to them.
Despite the significance of the award, Kazadi remains humble about his contributions. “For me, I was shocked. I do volunteer, it’s normal,” he said.
As part of the award, Kazadi will be able to select a charity of his choice to receive grant money from the Courage Project valued at up to $50,000.
COPYRIGHT 2026 BY KXLY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.
