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 40 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. All potential volunteers are required to attend a Volunteer Orientation Session. If you're interested, fill out the Volunteer Interest Form AND choose the ORIENTATION SESSION you will attend - there is an orientation session sign-up question on the interest form
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 40 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. All potential volunteers are required to attend a Volunteer Orientation Session. If you're interested, fill out the Volunteer Interest Form AND choose the ORIENTATION SESSION you will attend - there is an orientation session sign-up question on the interest form
Over the course of the 2 hour 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, have a small group 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 extensive Volunteer Training program, spread over a couple of weeks.
Over the course of the evening and weekend sessions of the Training Program, in a mix of asynchronous and synchronous learning experiences, you'll learn about crisis intervention and other related topic areas, develop and practice empathetic listening skills, and explore personal growth opportunities. Volunteer Orientation Session Dates: (there are no sesisons currentluy scheduled, we will be schedling for 2024 in December please come back and/or sign up to be on our mailing list at the bottom of the page to be notified.)
Over the course of the evening and weekend sessions of the Training Program, in a mix of asynchronous and synchronous learning experiences, you'll learn about crisis intervention and other related topic areas, develop and practice empathetic listening skills, and explore personal growth opportunities. Volunteer Orientation Session Dates: (there are no sesisons currentluy scheduled, we will be schedling for 2024 in December please come back and/or sign up to be on our mailing list at the bottom of the page to be notified.)
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!"