Press Release
| Contact: | Arlene Klemow | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
| 908/301-1820 | July 3, 2008 |
Busy Westfield Exec Discovers Flexible Volunteer Opportunity
Westfield — How does a busy corporate manager, who travels a lot for his job, ever find the time to volunteer? Bob John of Westfield has found what he believes is the perfect answer. CONTACT We Care’s 24-hour caring & crisis hotline.
The Real Estate Manager for Town Sports International (TSI) health club company knows first-hand how volunteering can enrich one’s life. The challenge for him was to find an opportunity that fit his busy schedule.
“I love the flexibility that CONTACT offers its volunteers,” said 51-year-old John. “I work long days in Manhattan, travel a great deal throughout the northeast, and CONTACT gives me the opportunity to do rewarding volunteer work on my own schedule.”
CONTACT We Care volunteers offer the gift of listening to callers who are lonely, depressed, stressed or suicidal. The non-profit has been serving callers throughout New Jersey for 33 years.
John, who holds an MBA from the University of Michigan, has been answering calls to CONTACT’s caring & crisis hotline for more than a year now, and says he loves the organization, the trainings, and the one-on-one connection with the callers. “It’s very gratifying to do this work. You get a sense that the callers really appreciate you being there and that you are making a real difference. They express that during the calls.”
“Everything you learn in the CONTACT training makes such a positive difference in your own life too — at home and at work,” added John. “I’ve learned how to listen to everyone in a non-judgmental way.”
John signed up for CONTACT’s 12-week training class in search of a rewarding volunteer experience. Years earlier he had volunteered significant time to church activities. “I think it’s important for everyone to find something you can do in the community.”
A Westfield resident for twenty years, John moved around a lot as a child, living in the US, Holland and England. “Twice when I was a child, we called Westfield home. It was great coming back home when I moved here as an adult.”
It was when his marriage ended in divorce five years ago that John discovered the importance of having someone to talk to. “I was fortunate to have good support from friends and family when I was going through my own rough patch. It made me think about those people without such resources and support.”
With his two teenage sons away at school and a pre-teen at home with him and his partner Mary Ellen, John says he is especially sensitive to the teens who call. “Those calls really touch me.”
This spring Bob John was one of the first volunteers to participate in the agency’s new ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) program. “There is a real commitment by CONTACT to provide on-going advanced trainings, enabling volunteers to feel really comfortable and prepared on the phone line.
For more information about volunteering for CONTACT We Care, or to register for the next Volunteer Training Class beginning in September, please call 908/301-1899 or visit www.contactwecare.org.