Gryphon Place 2-1-1/HELP-Line Crisis Worker: Volunteer

2-1-1/HELP-Line Crisis Worker: Volunteer

For nearly 40 years, Gryphon Place volunteers have been helping community members in times of need. Volunteers on the 2-1-1/HELP-Line come from diverse backgrounds, but they share a common desire to help others. Volunteers provide emotional support in a non-judgmental manner, are empathic and understanding, and offer information and referral about local community resources.

What is Involved in the Training

45 hours of intensive, experiential training is provided at no charge.
Potential volunteers are trained extensively in active listening, crisis management skills, suicide assessment, and substance abuse.
During training, trainers strive to provide an environment which is supportive and open. In this environment trainees are provided with the opportunity to grow personally while learning how to help others.
Training sessions are held four times a year and we offer three different training schedules to help accommodate scheduling difficulties.

How much time is involved?

After satisfactory completion of the training session, volunteers commit to 200 hours of service. Volunteers usually work six to eight hours per week. Scheduling is flexible and we work around your schedule.

Benefits of volunteering

Help fellow community members in crisis
Learn priceless communication skills
Help people help themselves
Personal growth and discovery
Meet a wide variety of people who are interested in helping others
College credit

Should you volunteer?

Do you genuinely care about helping others?
Do friends come to you when they need help?
Are you a good listener and able to remain neutral?
Are you thinking about a career in the helping profession?
Do you like to be personally challenged?

If you answered yes to any one of these, and are at least 18 years old, then you owe it to yourself to find out more! If you need more information, email Bob Tonander at btonander@gryphon.org or call (269) 381-1510.

See sidebar for 2-1-1 Volunteer Application and Training Calendar.

Volunteering with Gryphon Place

We have a long history of relying upon volunteers! In fact, many volunteers from decades ago tell us how much they benefited from their time at Gryphon Place . We are proud of that history.

The volunteers of Gryphon Place are some of the best. Their dedication and expertise is apparent. This is probably due to the fact that every volunteer has successfully completed extensive training. Currently, we utilize the services of over 100 people.

For more information, use links below:

2-1-1/HELP Line
Suicide Prevention Services
Survivors of Suicide Support Group
Mediation Services
Critical Incident Stress Management

Commonly Used Links:

LOCAL RESOURCES
Donate to Gryphon Place
2-1-1 Volunteer Application
2-1-1 Training Calendar

Kalamazoo Suicide Prevention Plan
Emergency Services Guide
Youth Out-of-School Time Guide
Youth Mentoring Guide

Navigating Health Care Brochure

Navigating Health Care Guide

Mental Health Provider Directory