February 8, 2021 Meeting
MISSION:
For over 48 years, Distress Centre Halton, a non-profit charitable organization, has provided telephone and online support to people 365 days of the year. We are a unique service in that we train volunteers for front-line work providing emotional support to people in our community to better cope with crisis, loneliness, and emotional stress.
Our service improves the health and wellness of people in our community and the quality of life of those who are feeling alone, isolated, and vulnerable.
Distress Centre Halton, Halton’s Help Line, provides a caring, compassionate, confidential and non-judgemental active listening and befriending service. We are a prevention and intervention resource for people experiencing crisis, distress, loneliness, isolation or thoughts of suicide. Our youngest caller has been nine and our oldest – mid nineties!
The charitable organization serves the following population:
- Registered charity that supports people in the community to better cope with crisis, loneliness, and emotional stress
- Provides telephone support on the Distress Line 365 days a year
- All services are confidential, anonymous, free and available to all age groups
- Staffed by volunteers who receive extensive training including communication, sensitivity, crisis management and active listening
- DISTRESS LINE: listening, befriending and crisis intervention by telephone.
- TELECHECK: outbound, 10-minute check-in phone call to isolated seniors, caregivers, and people struggling with their mental health. (For example, provide medication or appointment reminders, and to check on client’s well-being.)
- SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS: available to speak with a club, class, or group about the services provided or to teach courses on active listening skills
The donated funds would be used for:
The Centre volunteers engage in more than 1500 conversations a month. The funds would assist the Centre in their growing staff/volunteer needs. As our services grow so does the use of resources, we need to be available 24/7 for those in crisis. Funding assists us in keeping the lines open. Our new Telecheck program has close to doubled during Covid – this program is extremely important to the community – as we are checking in on our community and their well-being.
Other Presenting Charities:
