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volunteer Spotlight
The volunteer spirit is strong at CrisisLink. Read Michael’s and Emily’s stories.
Michael , Washington , D.C.
I've volunteered for CrisisLink, a crisis prevention hotline in Northern Virginia , for nearly two years. Like a lot of people, I saw it as a resume builder at first—an 'easy' way to impress a graduate school or potential future employer. I thought I might answer a few calls from some unhappy kids, nothing too serious, and be done with it, none too worse for the wear and satisfied with myself for having 'served the greater good.'
It took about ten minutes on the hotline to realize I couldn't have been more wrong. From the start, the callers broke me. A single father dying from AIDS, who just wanted to make sure his son was taken care of when he passed away. A lonely, sad 15-year-old, feeling trapped in a life he can't stand and unable to think of any way out but killing himself. A young professional, new to the city, and completely desperate for the home and stability she left behind, simply in need of a friendly ear. A mother who can't pay her electricity bill because of a surprise layoff, sitting locked in her car in the garage, contemplating whether to start the engine.
It quickly became apparent CrisisLink wouldn't be easy, and that this had nothing to do with my resume. The solace I am able to offer as a listener is small in the face of what so many of our callers face. Listeners are rigorously trained in how to handle calls, but we're not doctors or saints, and our callers are coming to us only with the worst of problems. But I keep volunteering—for the callers I have had, and for all the calls I've yet to answer. Incredibly, we're able to give them a lifeline; I may be just an anonymous ear at the other end of a telephone line, but that's all it takes sometimes to help someone when they most desperately need it, when they have nowhere else to turn. The chance to do that for another human being-and the knowledge that one day, as long as CrisisLink is around, someone will be able to return the favor, should I need it-is more than reward enough.
Emily, Fairfax, VA
Throughout my life, I have been a volunteer with various organizations. But, one thing I had always wanted to do was to work on a hotline. There was something about that one to one contact with people in crisis that I felt would challenge me and provide me with an opportunity to be involved and help both individuals and the community. As a volunteer listener, I work one evening each week taking calls from individuals in crisis or who just need someone to talk to. I am also very pleased to be part of the training team which means I have the opportunity to train the new listeners and be there when they take their very first phone call: to celebrate their success, provide some pointers and calm a few nerves. There are times when I am driving to my shift and I am thinking of all the other things I should do or need to do. But, I can honestly say that there has never been a time that as I am driving home from my shift, I am not changed in some way and very glad I am able to do what I do. Each day is different and each person we help is a unique individual. That is what keeps it so interesting. You never quite know what you will encounter, but you always know that even in some small way you have made a difference.
By far, my favorite thing at CrisisLink is the people. While I may have become interested in volunteering because of an interest in working on a hotline, I have stayed because of the staff and other volunteers. It is truly a family and I value the friendships I have made. I am always amazed at the dedication of the volunteers and staff to doing the right thing and doing it well.
I completely understand that there are many opportunities to donate to very good causes. I have worked for or volunteered with many great non-profits. But, I have never quite encountered an organization that is as dedicated, conscientious, impactful and respected as CrisisLink. As a volunteer, I feel supported, well trained, and valued. But, as importantly, I feel that through CrisisLink’s philosophies and efforts, we are one team making a difference in the lives of countless people across the country. Some who have no where else to turn. Some who just need that reassuring voice to make it one more day. We really have no idea how many lives the volunteers have saved. You tend to just hear about the tragedies. But it is what you don’t hear, the tragedies that were averted, that truly speaks volumes and is at the heart of what CrisisLink does.