Donate Now!
Volunteer Opportunities
CrisisLink offers many volunteer opportunities, including:
- Hotline Volunteer
- Community Outreach Team
- Special Event Committee Member
- Office Support and Special Projects
- Data Entry and Database Programmer
- Public Relations Intern/Volunteer
- Historian
- Volunteer Researcher and Writer
- CrisisLink Board Member
- Strategic Planner/Facilitator
- How to Volunteer at CrisisLink
Hotline Volunteer: Hotline volunteers receive 50 hours of intensive small group and on-the-job training to handle crisis calls on our 24/7/365 hotlines. Weekly 3-hour commitment for 1 year required, with shifts available daytime, evenings and weekends. Application and interview required; must be 21 years old. For more information, see our Hotline Volunteer Application Process page. Please apply on-line on or call (703) 527-6016 if you have questions.
Community Outreach Team: Help us get the word out about our Hotlines and other services by staffing our booths at community gatherings, college information fairs, gift wrapping tables, and more. Orientation and training provided, with flexible hours during daytime, evening and weekends for 2-4 hour shifts as needed. Please call (703) 527-6016 for more information and to apply.
Special Event Committee Member: Help raise funds and awareness by serving on a special event committee for our annual gala, LinkUp & Listen, or one of our other events, including Party for Life and our Fashion Show. Committee members help secure auction items and/or sponsorships, as well as offer ideas for maximizing the success of our events. Orientation and training provided by a combination of staff members and volunteers with previous experience assisting with our special events. Flexible hours and dynamic (and fun) team atmosphere. No previous event experience necessary. Call (703) 516-6768 to learn more.
Office Support & Special Projects: Help CrisisLink do even more by helping with mailings, personalizing invitations, special projects, planning events, and general office duties. Flexible, mostly business hours, and great team atmosphere. Previous administrative and volunteer experience a plus. Some projects suitable for groups and service clubs. Must be high school student or older, and can earn community service hours. Call (703) 527-6016 to learn more.
Data Entry and Database Programmer Volunteers: Enter and edit in Excel and/or Access. Experience with data entry, databases and spreadsheets preferred, attention to detail and accuracy a must. Assist CrisisLink's IT Manager in generating reports, automating reports, and performing database maintenance tasks. Daytime flexible business hours in office, on a project or as needed basis. Must be high school student or older, and can earn community service hours. Call (703) 527-6016 for more information and to apply.
PR Intern/Volunteer: Help plan PR campaign to make sure people in our community are aware of CrisisLink as a resource in times of need. Work with senior staff, Board, designers, and printers to develop PR materials, create distribution plan, and coordinate volunteers to distribute brochures, wallet cards, and posters. Research outreach, church, and school fairs, update media lists, and develop strategies to reach hard-to-reach and at-risk groups. Flexible business hours, 4-8 hours per week, with a 4-month minimum commitment required. Call (703) 516-6768 to learn more and to apply.
Historian: CrisisLink has been serving our community for over 38 years. Help us recognize all the volunteers and staff who have been part of CrisisLink by organizing photos, collecting stories, archiving materials, and writing a history of CrisisLink to celebrate this achievement. Flexible daytime hours. Perfect for that “closet historian” who loves local history. Call (703) 527-6603 to learn more and to apply.
Volunteer Researcher and Writer: Research a wide variety of subjects related to crisis response, suicide prevention, mental health, depression, domestic violence, abuse, and other critical subjects on an as needed or project basis. Create digests/abstracts of relevant findings for inclusion in newsletters, volunteer and staff trainings, grant proposals, and presentations, and provide briefings for staff. Flexible hours, could work some at home. Call (703) 527-6603 to learn more and to apply.
CrisisLink Board Member: CrisisLink is looking for new board members to raise funds to support CrisisLink’s mission, promote the organization and provide financial oversight and accountability. CrisisLink currently has openings for those with professional backgrounds in law, strategic planning, psychiatry and psychology, human resources, and fundraising as well as community members with personal experience related to suicide and mental health. Give back to our community and develop leadership skills at the same time. Evening meetings six times a year, plus bi-monthly committee meetings, an annual retreat, and fundraising events. Call (703) 527-6603 to learn more and to apply.
Strategic Planner/Facilitator: Help CrisisLink plan for the next 3 years and make sure our programs meet emerging needs. Work with CrisisLink’s Board and Advisory Council, as well as senior staff, to facilitate development of FY09-FY12 plan. Previous strategic planning and meeting facilitation experience required. Flexible hours, but would need to be available to meet with staff during business hours and meet with Board in the evening. Call (703) 527-6603 for more information and to apply.
How to volunter at CrisisLink: If you have questions or would like to voluteer for an activity that's not listed above, please contact CrisisLink's Hotline and Volunteer Manager or call (703) 527-6016. Or, you fill out our on-line application.