Volunteer Opportunity - COMMONWEALTH CORPS HELPLINE COORDINATOR

Volunteer Opportunity Details:

Last updated on June 18, 2012

This is a 20 hour per week stipend Commonwealth Corps position in our Boston location. The premier suicide prevention agency for 38 years in Greater Boston and MetroWest, Samaritans’ mission is to alleviate despair, isolation, distress and suicidal feelings among individuals in our community, 24 hours a day; to educate the public about suicide prevention; and reduce the stigma associated with suicide. We accomplish this through services that emphasize confidential, nonjudgmental and compassionate listening. Last year we answered more than 150,000 calls from individuals who are troubled, isolated, and possibly suicidal on our 24/7 and Samariteen Helplines; we provided 355 suicide prevention workshops to 15,349 participants; and Grief Support Services supported 1,096 people who had lost a loved one to suicide. Volunteers are our lifeblood; we average 500 each year. The Commonwealth Corps Helpline Coordinator will be responsible for supporting the recruitment, training, and mentoring of helpline volunteers and assisting with the implementation of a number of helpline capacity building technology projects
Responsibilities:

• Attend all required corps trainings and service events held by MSA
• Complete minimum of 800 hours of service
• Faxing public service announcements, updating websites
• Responding to inquiries, assembling and mailing volunteer packets

• Scheduling participants into Volunteer Information Sessions

• Supporting Volunteer Information sessions and Volunteer Fairs
• Interviewing potential volunteers
• Checking volunteer references, and scheduling applicants into training sessions
• Preparing training materials and participating in training sessions
• Providing in-the-phone-room support and supervision to helpline volunteers
• Stock phone room and training supplies

Qualifications:
• Massachusetts residency
• 18 years of age or older
• Experience with or interest in volunteerism and community engagement
• Understanding of and dedication to Samaritans’ mission and able to make a 12 month commitment to Commonwealth Corps.

• Flexibility in serving hours appropriate for 24/7 services

• Ability to communicate well both orally and in written form

This opportunity is sponsored by: Samaritans, Inc.

We need volunteers who are free at these times Evenings Weekends Weekdays This volunteer opportunity is available to the following types of volunteers Adults (26-54) Individual Adults (55+) Young Adults (18-25)

Contact Person: Danielle Bolduc, Program Manager, (phone), (email) View all agency contacts

Address:

41 West Street Boston, MA 02111 (See a map)

Directions:

Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: Park Street & Downtown Crossing,   Walk distance (in minutes): 2   Nearest Bus Stop: Silver Line - Washington St., 1 minute walk For maps or information, please see http://www.mbta.com

Web Site: http://www.samaritanshope.org

Last updated on June 18, 2012