About Us Services Giving Prospective Volunteers Contact Us Trainees   Training Program Volunteers at CONTACT We Care are required to complete a 50-hour training program before answering the hotline telephones. Our training program includes 12 weeks of classes and two tiers of internship where intern volunteers work alongside experienced teaching assistants to perfect their telephone skills. Development of the volunteer's active listening and problem solving skills is a key component of the training. Some of the other topics covered during class sessions are: information about teen and family issues, grief, loneliness, abuse, mental illness, and suicide. In addition to the two regular 12-week training sessions for new volunteers, we offer several advanced training opportunities throughout the year. These may include attendance at special meetings or classes pertaining to topics and issues acutely important to our mission. Each volunteer is required to earn at least 6 advanced training credits each year to maintain their skill at dealing with caller problems. At the annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner the Board and staff celebrate the dedication and commitment of ail our volunteers, a total of 8,500 hours in 2004. Another 1,500 volunteer hours support our training program, office projects, and fundraising events. Special recognition is given to those who pass significant volunteer milestones. Volunteers to the hotline must be 18 years of age. Care Ring volunteers must be 16. Prospective Volunteers ©2005 Contact We Care, Inc.