HOTLINE HEROES: Volunteers respond during region’s worst snow storm in years

We’re inspired daily by the dedication of our volunteer hotline crisis counselors-- and this Winter is no exception. Over the last month, CrisisLink's hotline crisis counselors have gone the extra mile (and in some cases, literally, on foot through the snow!) to make sure our crisis hotline was staffed.

When the December 19th snowstorm dumped over a foot of snow on our community, more than a dozen crisis counselors volunteered to be on "standby" in case they were needed to fill shifts. The Arlington Police Department even chipped in to give rides to those who needed them, saying that they recognize how critical our services are to the community.

A very special thanks to all of our Hotline Heroes-- thank you for going above and beyond during these critical situations and being there for people when they need you most.

CrisisLink's Winter Hotline Heroes:

• Crisis Counselors who took shifts during the storm: Katie L., Nate K. (both of whom walked through the blowing snow storm to the call center!), Cynthia R., Michael F., Kathleen J., David S., Jerome P., and Tricia M. (who had to dig her car out of the parking lot at 2 a.m.)!!
• Overnight Crisis Counselors who covered 40 hours of extra shifts so that the phones were always staffed during the snow storm: Daisy L., Robert V., Adrienne J., and Louise H.
• Crisis Counselors who stepped up to provide extra coverage over the recent holidays: Emily A., Donna D., Kevin H., Margot I., Kathleen J., Rick K., Tricia M., George M., Olivia M., Rachel Z.
• Crisis Counselors who covered last minute Christmas Eve needs (and who stayed extra hours to support their fellow crisis counselors): Christina P., Nick S.
• Arlington Police Officers who helped get our crisis counselors safely to/from their shifts.

Also, a special thank you to:

• Crisis Counselors who offered to be on "Standby" during the snow storm: Jenny B., Cindy B., Kelsey B., Susan C., Kevin H., Kathleen J., Hank L., Andrea M., Barney P., Tom S., Nick S., Tricia M., Christina, P, and Katherine Y.
• Overnight Crisis Counselors who covered the holidays so that most volunteers could spend time with their families: Daisy L., Adrienne J, Robert V., Louise H.

Do YOU want to answer the call to help? CrisisLink's Winter volunteer hotline training class is just around the corner - the first session starts February 20th - and we are looking for empathic listeners to join our crisis counseling team!

We're also recruiting bilingual Spanish speakers for this class so we can begin offering hotlines services to the Latino community. Help us get the word out for this valuable new program!

Please visit our web site for more information, or call 703-527-6016. Time is running out and interviews are being scheduled now!

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CrisisLink saves lives and prevents tragedies every day by providing those facing life crises, trauma, and suicide with support, information, and links to community resources. http://www.crisislink.org.