Organization's MISSION in the community:
Concern Hotline, Inc., established in 1968, is a volunteer-operated hotline providing information and referral, crisis intervention, and suicide prevention to anyone in need, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Last year alone, volunteers took over 6,000 calls for help. The hotline services Lord Fairfax Planning District 7, which includes the City of Winchester and the Counties of Clarke, Frederick, Page, Shenandoah and Warren. The hotline also contracts with Northwestern Community Services to provide 24-hour crisis care intervention. We are designated as a "member agency" for the United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley, the United Way of Front Royal/Warren County, and the United Way of Page County.
SERVICES provided in the community:
Concern Hotline provides free 24-hour hotline service and co-facilitates a suicide loss support group.
VOLUNTEER Opportunities:
Volunteer Basic traits:
▪ 18 years or older.
▪ No criminal background.
▪ Mentally "fit" - in order to answer the calls for help in a professional and confidential manner, volunteers need to understand the crisis situations they may encounter, and have the ability to council callers in an effective manner.
▪ Caring, understanding, compassionate, and possess active
listening skills.
▪ Able to advise in crisis situations.
Concern Hotline, Inc. needs caring people to volunteer for their 24/7/365 hotline. New volunteers are trained in a 10-week training with follow-up practicum sessions. Individual trainings will focus on active listening, major topics on the hotline, and local resources for callers. Volunteers will go through a formal interview process which includes a reference check. Volunteers are required to take at least one 4 hour shift per month and attend on-going educational opportunities provided throughout the year. Volunteer shifts are flexible, and calls may be taken at home, on your cell phone, or at our Call Center facilities. Please call Marianne Tantillo, Volunteer Coordinator at 540-536-1630 or email at concern@visuallink.com for more information.