CONTACT Community Helplines - A Win/Win/Win

For more info, go to: http://divatoolbox.com/sandituttle/2011/05/23/contact-helplines-info/

We have all seen TV shows and movies where a help line operator saves the life of a desperate person, demonstrating empathy, intelligence and usually an intrepid spirit.  But do we really know what goes on, who these people are, and how they manage to stay out there on the other end of the line?

Ruth Melian is an amazing lady who introduced me to the CONTACT Community Helplines organization here in South Jersey. (http://www.contacthelplines.org/)

CONTACT Community Helplines' primary mission is to LISTEN to people confronting crisis or in need and, where appropriate, refer them to other agencies and organizations whose services they may require or benefit from, and is is an affiliate of LifeLine International which originated in Australia in 1963.  The network of 24-hour crisis helplines has spread throughout the world and is now active in 15 countries on four continents.

Ruth explained to me how she, and a group of dedicated volunteers, took an idea for a consignment shop and turned it into a way to fund these continuing services - while providing a place for people to purchase affordable clothing as well as somewhere to come to feel the warmth and kindness of the volunteers working there!  Win-Win-Win all the way around - we don't see that very often today!

Ruth is going to share her story with us, to show that we all can make a difference, and find the resources within ourselves to help others find their way out of their own dark place and onto a path of light and hope.