Volunteering @ The Listening Ear
Volunteering as an Ear
You Can Make Difference! Do you have a heart for helping people who are in crisis, lonely, hurting or in distress? Our crisis hotline and walk-in center include 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 hours a week, you can help make a difference.
Our volunteers 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. Volunteers receive more than 60 hours of training before ever picking up the phone. We are an all volunteer run organization, many staff members choose to assume leadership roles in the organization and/or to become staff trainers. We offer volunteer orientation/training sessions several times per year, sign up at the bottom of the page for our mailling list to recevie orientation and training date announcements.
Our volunteers 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. Volunteers receive more than 60 hours of training before ever picking up the phone. We are an all volunteer run organization, many staff members choose to assume leadership roles in the organization and/or to become staff trainers. We offer volunteer orientation/training sessions several times per year, sign up at the bottom of the page for our mailling list to recevie orientation and training date announcements.
All potential new volunteers are required to fill out the new volunteer application AND choose the informational ORIENTATION SESSION they will attend - there is an orientation session sign-up question in the application.
Volunteer orientation/training sessions are offered several times per year, sign up at the bottom of the page for our mailling list to recevie orientation and training date announcements.
You must submit your volunteer application PRIOR to your ORIENTATION SESSION and bring a printed copy with you to your selected orientation session if the session is in-person.
Those that attend an orientation session, and are invited to continue along the volunteer path, are required to participate in an extensive two week training program, prior to joining the Ear staff.
Over the course of evening and weekend training, you will learn more about the history, mission, and operating procedures/policies of the organization, develop and practice empathetic listening skills, and explore personal/profession growth opportunities.
You must submit your volunteer application PRIOR to your ORIENTATION SESSION and bring a printed copy with you to your selected orientation session if the session is in-person.
Those that attend an orientation session, and are invited to continue along the volunteer path, are required to participate in an extensive two week training program, prior to joining the Ear staff.
Over the course of evening and weekend training, you will learn more about the history, mission, and operating procedures/policies of the organization, develop and practice empathetic listening skills, and explore personal/profession growth opportunities.
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!"