What can I do?
There are two different opportunities, tapping into
a variety of interests, skills, and personalities, including:
Each provides a unique volunteer experience and allows an individual
to get to know other staff and volunteers, thereby enhancing their volunteer
experience. You will find working with our extraordinary, loving community
to be a rewarding and life-enhancing experience. Together we will learn
more about ourselves, each other, and the world in which we live. We
invite you to get involved and become part of the Crisis Center team!
To volunteer, or share your questions or comments about our volunteer
program, please contact Bren Keith, Clinical Coordinator,
at 615-298-3359 ex. 237 or complete the form below.
I. Crisis Counselor Opportunities
- Telephone Counseling- volunteer telephone counselors are needed to
help cover the Crisis Center’s 24/7 schedule. Shifts last
from three to four hours.
- Speaker’s Bureau/Outreach- volunteers are needed to increase
community awareness of the Crisis Center, recruit volunteers,
and educate the public
about suicide prevention and mental health issues.
- Training- volunteers can assist with computer training or act as role-play
facilitators.
- Survivors of Suicide (SOS)- volunteers can assist the SOS program,
which helps those who have lost someone to suicide. Help is needed
with support groups, newsletters, and a yearly candlelight remembrance
event.
- Depression Screening- there are opportunities for trained volunteer
telephone counselors to help with two or three depression screenings
per year. Tables are set up in public places (malls, schools, etc.)
and people are invited to fill out a simple depression screening form.
Volunteers
are needed to meet and greet passersby, hand out
tests for
Depression Screening, Bipolar Disorder, General Anxiety, or PTSD.
Volunteer scorers tally participants' test scores. And finally, volunteer
counselors
meet
one-on-one with those who have taken the test to
discuss their test results, any symptoms they are experiencing, and refer
them to helping resources.
Student Internships
Opportunities are available at the Crisis Center for students completing practicums
and/or student volunteer services. We offer a variety of learning experiences,
ranging from telephone crisis counseling to other projects that also benefit
our community. Students help people in crisis, learn about community resources,
and develop valuable insights about life experiences and diagnoses that prompt
people to call for counseling and support. Our training program prepares students
for a fulfilling experience at the Crisis Center. Call the Crisis Services
Director at 615-298-3359 to gain more information.
Volunteer & Student Opportunities
Crisis Center volunteers and students can choose from five areas of opportunity.
These areas tap into a variety of interests, skills, and personalities. Volunteers
are welcome to participate in as many opportunities as they wish. Each provides
a unique volunteer experience and allows an individual to get to know other
staff and volunteers, thereby enhancing their volunteer experience. We invite
you to get involved and be a part of the Crisis Center team!
A Crisis Center Professional Ladder honors
telephone counselors at three levels:
Crisis Associate
Awarded when a trainee has completed an initial 40-hour training session, participated
in supervised on-the-job training, been favorably evaluated, and completed
20 hours on the telephone counseling lines.
Crisis Specialist
Awarded when a Crisis Associate has completed one year of continued active
telephone counseling experience, fulfilled a required number of in-service
hours, and received favorable evaluations.
Senior Crisis Specialist
Awarded when the Crisis Specialist has completed a required number of telephone
counseling and in-service hours and has acquired additional training in or
outside the Center by attending seminars or workshops relevant to their telephone
counseling experience. This level may also be attained by active assistance
with training of new volunteers, participation in the Speaker’s Bureau,
and/or other service to the Center in addition to telephone counseling.
A person must have been at the Crisis Specialist level for at least two years
before they can be considered for the Senior Crisis Specialist level. He or
she must exhibit exceptional counseling skills, knowledge of case management
policies and procedures, an accepting and non-judgmental attitude toward clients,
and a cooperative attitude toward colleagues.
Awarding of the Senior Crisis Specialist title will be based on a performance
evaluation and will be determined jointly by the Executive Director, Crisis
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