Contact:	Arlene Klemow	FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
	908/301-1899	July 28, 2008

 

Volunteering at Crisis Hotline “Grounds” Edison Woman

Edison — With three graduate degrees earned in the past 12 years, 55-year-old Maureen Moynihan of Edison is a bundle of energy, enthusiasm and passion for learning. The seasoned teacher, counselor, and school administrator just completed her doctorate in Educational Leadership at Rowan University and is taking a short “breather” before launching her next new career — possibly counseling adults. But through all the change, one thing has remained a constant in her life — her on-going commitment to volunteering for CONTACT We Care, the 24-hour caring & crisis hotline. Moynihan has been answering calls for the Westfield based hotline for more than 13 years.

“I think my volunteer work at CONTACT grounds me,” said Moynihan. “I know the callers to the hotline need someone to listen, and I love having the opportunity to use my gift here. I’ve thought of doing other things, but this is a great way to serve the community. I am a people person. I like the one-on-one with another human being. Some measure giving in dollars, I measure it in hours.”

Over the past 13 years Moynihan has logged more than 1,000 hours on the lines, offering the gift of listening to callers who are lonely, depressed, stressed or suicidal.

“There are people who call once or twice, and then there are callers who I’ve been speaking to for 13 years,” said Moynihan. “Just being there for them in the moment is a wonderful thing. I know the people I talk to on the line have grown through their contact with all the volunteers on the hotline.”

Moynihan, like the dozens of other volunteers for the 33-year-old hotline, participated in a 50-hour intensive training program to prepare her for work at CONTACT. “The training taught me how to listen actively … how to describe what feelings are behind the problem,” said Moynihan. “The skills I’ve learned help me solve my own problems too. This work has definitely changed me. It’s given me perspective. I look at my own life differently now.”

An avid sailor, Moynihan says the water beckons her. In her spare time she enjoys sailing her 27-foot boat in the Raritan Bay and loves the challenge of dealing with the ever-changing wind and water.

“I love the continuity of my volunteer work though. It’s been an anchor for me. It’s given me a tremendous sense that I can follow through and persevere. And you always meet the nicest people when you volunteer!”

For more information about volunteering for CONTACT We Care, or to register for the upcoming Volunteer Training Class beginning in September, please call (908) 301-1899 or visit the organization’s website at www.contactwecare.org.