Long Island Crisis Center Is Seeking Volunteers

With suicide rates increasing and at-risk populations growing, Long Island Crisis Center, the 24 hour-a-day, 7 day-a-week suicide prevention and crisis intervention hotline, is asking community members to start the summer by volunteering and becoming a different kind of lifeguard.

Last year, more than 14,000 Long Islanders reached out to the Crisis Center for counseling, support and referrals during their time of need. It was the volunteer staff that answered these calls 24/7, made a difference and saved a life.

A volunteer recruitment drive for counselor assistants is currently underway. No counseling experience is necessary and the hours are flexible to accommodate the individual needs of volunteers.

The free training program takes place over three separate three-hour sessions at the Crisis Center’s office in Bellmore. July’s training will be held on Wednesday evenings from 7 to 10 p.m. on July 11, 18 and 25. August’s training will be held on Tuesday evenings from 7 to 10 p.m. on Aug. 7, 14 and 21. Completion of the counselor assistant training is a prerequisite for the Crisis Center’s counselor training, which begins in September 2018.

For more information, check out the Crisis Center's website and click on “Volunteer;” then call 516-826-0244 to schedule an interview.

Photo courtesy Long Island Crisis Center