Volunteer Listeners on Community Helpline

Save to Favorites

Be a "Lifeline of Hope".... Community Helpline is a 44 year old confidential listening, crisis and referral hotline. When most hotlines have specialized (domestic violence, suicide etc) Community Helpline has remained a general hotline, answering calls for a simple referral, someone lonely without a support system to more serious issues of depression, anxiety and crisis/suicide calls. We are the first referral the Suicide Prevention Hotline gives to callers after assessing the need for a "talk line". Prospective volunteers are required to attend the 6 week 45 hour "Listening and Communications" training. Volunteers learn "empathetic non judgmental reflective listening" and mental health professionals speak on common caller issues like depression, anxiety, substance abuse, domestic violence and suicide. The volunteers are trained not to give any personal information or opinions by setting good boundaries. We ask our volunteers to remain one year, to keep our staffing stable, and many stay much longer. Monthly we ask our volunteers to take 3 shifts of 3 hours each, as a guideline. The Helpline is open 7 days from 7a-10pm. Training is offered 3 times a year, in the spring, summer and fall on Tues and Thurs from 6-9pm. To request an application please call 310-793-1415 or email chelpline.hyc@gmail.com