Volunteering @ The Listening Ear
Volunteering as a Listening Ear
- You Can Make A Difference! Do you have a heart for helping people who are in crisis, lonely, hurting or in distress? Our crisis hotline includes opportunities for providing emotional and lifestyle support services through empathetic listening and referrals. One of the most important ways you can support the Listening Ear is by joining our team as a Volunteer. If you can volunteer some of your time, from as little as 4-5 hours a week, you can help make a difference.
- All potential volunteers must attend an online Orientation Session before you can take the next step and apply for a spot in our online Volunteer Training Program. It is our hope you’ll consider attending an online Orientation Session to learn about the Listening Ear and the work we do serving the community.
- Our Volunteers receive more than 40 hours of training and mentoring before ever picking up the phone, are trained to deal with crises that include depression, suicide, loneliness, sexual assault, grief, and many others. We also provide referrals for services throughout the Lansing area and beyond.
- Because we are an all volunteer run organization with no paid staff, our members are expected to actively participate in running the organization by attending staff meetings, joining committees, and/or choosing to assume leadership roles in the organization.
- Volunteering offers a multitude of rewarding experiences and benefits. You'll have the opportunity to make a profound impact on people's lives by providing crucial support during their most vulnerable moments.You'll also develop valuable skills such as active listening, empathy, and effective communication, which are important life skills.
- The experience also contributes towards personal growth, as you gain insights into human resilience and develop a deeper understanding of mental health issues. It not only helps others but also enriches your own life, making it a truly fulfilling endeavor.
After completing an Orientation Session, you'll have an opportunity to take the next step - applying for our Volunteering Training Program, which is required to join our staff and take calls.
Or you may choose to help in a non-crisis line capacity with marketing, fundraising, administrative tasks.
Or you may decide that volunteering isn't making sense for you at this time. Whatever you decide, you can help support the Ear and the important work we're doing, by making a donation of any size here https://bit.ly/ear-donate
You can register for one of our Zoom Orientation Sessions here when they are being offered.
Over the course of the 90 minute Volunteer Orientation session you will learn about the history, mission, operating procedures, and policies of the Ear. You will see a demo of empathetic listening skills in action, find out about our Volunteer Training Program, particiapte in a group sharing experience, and have time to ask questions.
Those that attend an orientation session, will have an opportunity to continue along the volunteer path, and apply to participate in our upcoming July Volunteer Training program required to join our staff and take calls.
Throughout the evening and weekend sessions of the Volunteer Training Program, you will engage in a blend of asynchronous and synchronous learning experiences. You will learn about crisis intervention and related topics, develop and practice empathetic listening skills, roleplay hotline calls, and explore opportunities for personal growth.
To successfully complete the training program you must attend ALL sessions, both 1st half and 2nd half.
Benefits of Volunteering
Valuable Experience
Personal Growth
Community
"Volunteering with the Listening Ear was a great decision for me. I've learned so many great skills related to communication, and I feel like the training staff really prepared me to meet the needs of the incredibly wide range of callers and situations. Truthfully, going into this, I was thinking about resume building, but coming out of it, I realize it was so much more than that!"
"An incredible organization with incredible people! I feel like I am having a real, positive impact on the Lansing community when I volunteer at the Ear. Everyone there is so supportive and kind. I could not be happier that I took the risk and went through training. It's rigorous, but also transformative. The Ear has given me insignt into myslef, friendships, and experiences I will never forget!"
"The Ear makes me feel like I'm making a difference. I have really connected with some of the callers. It feels great knowing I may be helping someone out by listening to them. The Ear staff is also a community; we're a family. I am constantly supported and have met some truly wonderful people. One of the best decisions I've made! Come join us, you won't regret it!"