- A group opportunity. Invite your friends.
-
55 people are interested
Live in PA? Become a Remote CONTACT Helpline Volunteer Today!
ORGANIZATION: CONTACT Helpline
This opportunity is provided by VolunteerMatch's partner.
Please visit the new page to apply.
Please visit the new page to apply.
- A group opportunity. Invite your friends.
-
55 people are interested
CONTACT Helpline has provided 24-hour information, and referral services to Cumberland, Dauphin, and Perry Counties, as well as listening to all over the world since 1970. Our telephone volunteers respond to a wide range of needs: family problems, substance abuse, mental health issues, housing, emergency services, health problems and more. No matter what, CONTACT is there to help.
You can make a difference, one call at a time, by becoming a CONTACT volunteer. The training program is designed to help you learn the art of "active listening" and includes topics such as drug and alcohol issues, crisis intervention, community resources, problem solving and mental health issues. Training is completely remote and includes 35 hours of virtual training via learning management system and ZOOM followed by 20 hours of apprenticeship training. Our extensive training is an excellent continued learning opportunity for anyone interested in strengthening their interpersonal communication skills.
For more information about training, or to register, call CONTACT Helpline at 717-652-4987 or email contact@contacthelpline.org.
Please Note: To take part in this volunteer opportunity, volunteers are required to have access to high-speed internet and a computer. Additionally, it is preferred that volunteers reside in the vibrant Central Pennsylvania area.
More opportunities with CONTACT Helpline
No additional volunteer opportunities at this time.
About CONTACT Helpline
Location:
P.O. Box 90035, Harrisburg, PA 17109, US
Mission Statement
CONTACT Helpline’s mission is "Compassionate listening and vital resource referrals, 24/7", and its vision is to build a better community one connection at a time.
Description
Every day Resource Navigators and Helpline Specialists assist Central Pennsylvania (including Dauphin and Cumberland Counties) residents who call our Emotional Listening and Support and PA 211 lines to find resources for housing, shelter, food, utilities, physical and mental health concerns and so many more. Working across multiple systems, Helpline Specialists and Resource Navigators connect callers to resources to meet their basic needs.
Individuals reach out to the emotional listening and support line for varied reasons including sadness, anger, loneliness, grief, fear, substance use/abuse, mental health issues, marital/partner relationship, anxiety, stress, or to celebrate an achievement or milestone. Limited access to mental health treatment caused by scarcity of mental health resources, financial hardships, and social stigma associated with mental illness often prevents folks from seeking and obtaining adequate mental health treatment. Left without intervention, mental health issues escalate. According to NAMI (2020), 1 in 8 visits to U.S. emergency rooms are related to mental health and substance use disorder.
CONTACT Helpline supports any individual who needs help. Services are available to all regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, lifestyle, age, educational background, national origin, religion, neurodiversity, or physical abilities.
CAUSE AREAS
Community,
Emergency & Safety,
Homeless & Housing
WHEN
We'll work with your schedule.
WHERE
This is a Virtual Opportunity with no fixed address.
DATE POSTED
June 16, 2025
SKILLS
- People Skills
- Problem Solving
- Verbal / Written Communication
- Critical Thinking
- Multi-Tasking
- Basic Computer Skills
GOOD FOR
- Teens
- Public Groups
REQUIREMENTS
- Background Check
- Must be at least 18
- Orientation or Training
- A minimum of ten hours a month that can be split into two hour increments.
- Listening skills, empathy, a non-judgmental approach, patience, respect for boundaries, strict confidentiality, and a desire to help people in your community!