HRDC seeks volunteers to staff crisis line

District 4 Human Resources Development Council Victim Services crisis line is looking for volunteers.

“We are just hoping to get more. We’re kind of on the lower side of volunteers right now,” HRDC Victim Services Shelter Manager and Volunteer Coordinator Renae Miller said.

The volunteer needs to be at least 18 years old and be available one day or night a month to answer the phone to listen to people, she said.

“You don’t have to be a licensed counselor to help, you just have to be a good listener,” she said. “We just need someone to be available on the phone on the day that they are scheduled and be available if someone needs someone to talk to.”

This can also be done remotely, she said.

She said the shifts are Monday through Friday from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m and all day from 8 a.m. to 8 a.m. on the weekends.

“The call amount varies, and they could receive one or two calls a night or no calls at all the whole time they are scheduled for the month,” she added. “All they are required to do is answer the phone and talk to the person in crisis or give referrals, which we train them on how to do this.”

Some people can use their time volunteering for co-op or volunteer hours, she said.

People interested in more information or to sign-up can contact Miller at 265-6743 ext. 1141 or at [email protected].

“It really is a great way to help the community,” Miller said.

“We have seen our numbers increase due to COVID, and so this might be a thing people can do at home while they are quarantining and be able to help people remotely.

“We’d really appreciate if people in the community could come together, and help others in their community that are kind of going through a hard time and just be available for people who are wanting to talk or just dealing with their own demons and need someone, that kind of third party that doesn’t know their situation, to talk to them,” she added.

The Crisis Line is a 24-hour call line that anyone can call day or night, she said, ranging from people who are seeking information to people who are in crisis.

The Crisis Line is 265-2222.