This Giving Tuesday, we’re sharing stories of hope—how we’ve been there for those who needed support, no matter the reason. Thanks to our volunteers and supporters, we’ve been able to provide hope to countless individuals going through challenging times in their life.
A story of hope amidst grief
One of our former crisis volunteers, Glenda, shares this story of hope amidst grief.
“I think one of the most memorable calls I had was from a gentleman whose wife passed away suddenly.”
“He was waiting for his family to come so we spent all night with him, to keep him company. He was so thankful for our service. On the last call, one of his kids was at the front door, so he hung up.“
“It really touched my heart.”
Glenda was a volunteer from 1983 to 2002, and is a great example of the adult crisis line volunteer level of dedication. Her story of supporting this grieving gentleman shows the importance of having someone to talk to, no matter the hour.
A story of youth sharing hope with fellow youth
The following story was shared by one of our youth volunteers on our ConnecTeen program.
“I remember speaking with a young woman who was in distress as a result of her parents’ divorce. They were forcing her to choose which parent she’d like to live with. But she couldn’t bear the pressure of the decision. After listening to her and showing my sincere empathy for the position that she was thrust into, this young woman began to feel much better because someone listened without judgment. She was uncomfortable with discussing the matter with people close to her because she didn’t like to appear weak around her loved ones, so the fact she could speak with someone confidentially gave her a great amount of comfort.”
“Once we concluded the call, she thanked me for helping her gain the confidence and strength to speak with her parents about how she felt. This is just one example of the countless unique callers that require our services each and every day. The one aspect that they all have in common is that they all just want someone to listen, and that’s exactly what we’re here for.”
Our ConnecTeen volunteer was able to support their fellow youth by listening without judgment, helping them find the way forward from this challenge.
A story of hope amidst crisis
*Trigger warning: The following paragraphs may be emotionally challenging and will speak of suicide.
Karen, one of our crisis volunteers, shared this impactful story about a man contemplating ending his life.
“One night a man called, and told me he was driving away from home, he was going to kill himself. He had done a suicide video for his son. I talked to him for almost 2 hours.”
“He phoned back a few weeks later and told me he got the counselling he needed, and he wanted me to know he was safe. He said he just kept calling hoping someday I would pick up the phone.”
This man’s story shows how compassionate support can save a life.
How you can give hope
These stories of hope are just a few of the hundreds we’ve encountered, since 1970. When life’s challenges become overwhelming, we want you to know that we are here.
You can give the gift of hope too and ensure that we can continue being a lifeline for those in crisis. Help us stay here—for you and for our community.
