Volunteers and Interns
Without the many wonderful volunteers that give their time to speak to our callers the Friendship Line would not exist. Trained volunteers at the Friendship Line make and receive calls to and from individuals who are either in crisis or just in need of a compassionate voice and listening ear.
Please fill out our online application and we’ll contact you with the next steps.
Think you would make a great addition to our team?
Volunteers have direct contact with callers and provide:
- Emotional support
- Reassurance
- Elder abuse reporting
- Social connection
- Information and referrals
- Crisis intervention
Volunteers get more than they give!
“Volunteering at the institute on Aging has been the most rewarding experience I’ve ever undertaken. When constantly hearing how you’ve made someone feel better, it reaffirms the importance of compassion and connection.”
-Nicole (Friendship Line Volunteer)
-Nicole (Friendship Line Volunteer)
Training
Volunteers attend a comprehensive on-going training program providing the appropriate tools to handle all our calls. Training topics include:
- Suicide risk assessments
- Cultural diversity awareness
- Active listening
- Emotional support
- Elder abuse reporting
- Challenging call scenarios
- Talking to people living with a physical disability and/or a mental health condition
And more!
Upcoming Training Date
Please note: Volunteers must attend the training.
Saturday Training:
January 26th | 8:45 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. (continental breakfast and lunch provided)
Please contact us for more information.
Volunteer Commitment
We ask volunteers to commit to 96 hours, that usually looks like one 4-hour shift a week for 6 months.
Our daily volunteer hours are: 7-11am, 12-4pm, 4-8pm, 5-9pm, and 7-9pm.
