Logo: Suicide Prevention and Crisis Service

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Join our team as a volunteer

  

Crisisline   Role Players     Office     Training Application   

  
(2010 Staff; photo by Rachel Philipson, rachelphilipson.com)

Crisisline Volunteers

We offer on-going comprehensive training for volunteers throughout the year.   Counselors commit to a year of service on the Crisisline following the training.  Counselors receive regular supervision and support and additional educational opportunities.

The 24-hour Crisisline schedule enables people with a variety of personal and work schedules to participate.

Crisisline Counselors learn

  • how to help people during times of crisis
  • how to listen and respond effectively in all areas of life
  • how to prevent suicide and other violent behavior
  • how loss and trauma affect people
  • how mental illness impacts life
  • about other problems of living and how to help people manage them
  • about community resources for the wide variety of human needs
  • how to manage their own stress  

Crisisline Counselors gain
  • skills and knowledge which improve interactions with partners, children, colleagues, students, friends, etc.
  • meaning which builds confidence, competence, and joy in living.
  • experience which strengthens resumes and applications. Students, people entering the work force, and those contemplating a career change find that SPCS volunteer work is esteemed by graduate schools and employers.
  • membership in a diverse group of dedicated and dynamic people.
  • meaning which builds confidence, competence, and joy in living.
Minimum Qualifications to train to be a Crisisline Counselor
  • Maturity (typically 20 years old to 100 years old) 
  • Ability to listen with compassion and open-mindedness 

Training programs for volunteer Crisisline counselors are held four times a year.  Please call the Crisisline Directors at (607) 272-1505 or email crisisline1@ithacacrisis.org for more information. 

Training Application .pdf   or  Training Application .doc 
  

Role Players

The SPCS Role Players is an educational role playing ensemble whose purpose is to address mental health and life issues, teach about communication skills, and facilitate problem solving as they relate to each unique audience.

The role players are a caring, trained group of volunteers who come from diverse backgrounds and life experiences.  Players from middle school age to senior citizens contribute their time, role playing skills, and interest in the issues to the community audiences. 

Training for new role players involves six hours of training and observation of Role Player events. Training workshops are usually held in January each year or can be brought to community groups. Please contact the Director of Interactive Theater, Lee-Ellen Marvin, at 607-272-1505 x23 to find out how you can become a Role Player!

 

Office Volunteers

SPCS welcomes office volunteers to help with various administrative duties and projects. Office volunteers can assist with annual reports, website, newsletters, mailings and database management. Please contact us at 272-1505 if you are interested in helping our SPCS staff.