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Common Ground Seeking Volunteers for 24-hour Crisis Helpline

(Common Ground, March 7, 2017)

PONTIAC, Mich., – Common Ground is seeking new crisis helpline volunteers at the Resource and Crisis Center in Pontiac, Michigan. The organization’s volunteer program offers several benefits including: free certification and training courses, experience in a mental health environment, career development and career opportunities.

Volunteer responsibilities include: Providing crisis intervention through telephone conversations, online chat and text messages, offering information on Common Ground’s programs and services, assisting speech and hearing impaired individuals, and participating in shift debriefings.

Those interested will also be asked to participate in a brief orientation and screening session and extensive training. Once trained, volunteers will be required to commit to at-least one shift a week over the duration of one year.

There is no experience required to volunteer at the organization. However, Common Ground asks that those interested have a willingness to work in a diverse environment, retain confidential information, have the ability to think clearly in emergency situations, and have the ability to communicate effectively.

The Resource and Crisis Center stands as a key-component in the organization’s crisis intervention methods. Volunteers will assist in providing confidential crisis intervention, emotional support, and debriefing by: phone, online chat and text.

The required volunteer training takes place three times a year in the winter, spring and fall seasons. The spring training session is set to begin Saturday, March 18, from 9:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.

If interested in volunteering, please contact Volunteer Coordinator Melissa Hope, at mhope@commongroundhelps.org or at 248-451-2614.

 

About Common Ground

Common Ground is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping teens, young adults and families move from crisis to hope. Founded in 1971, the organization has utilized several intervention services and response methods to serve the community 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Last year, through counseling, support, and safety provisions, Common Ground was able to service more than eighty-thousand people in need of help. For more information about Common Ground and its services, visit commongroundhelps.org