From Hello to Help, 211 is Here

What is 211? An easy-t0-remember three-digit number that serves as our community’s comprehensive and confidential resource hotline, 24/7.

Every year, National 211 Day is celebrated on February 11, too recognize the more than 200 211s located throughout the United States and to increase awareness of this vital service that connects people with essential health and human services 24 hours per day, 365 days per year.

Used by millions of people every day, 211 offers access to free and confidential crisis and emergency counseling; disaster assistance; food, health care, and insurance assistance; stable housing and utilities payment assistance; employment services; veteran services; COVID-19 resources, and childcare and family services.

In 2019, U.S. 211s answered more than 11 million calls and close to 450,000 texts, chats, and emails, making more than 14 million connections to life-changing support and resources.

Locally, 211 services are provided by the Contra Costa Crisis Center, available by phone and text 24/7.

Do you need help, or do you know someone who needs help?

Call 211 today or text HOPE to 20121 to speak to a trained specialist. Help is available in multiple languages.

Volunteer Training begins in January 2021

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Do you want to know more about how you can volunteer? Has a friend or family member said they are looking for a way to help the community during the pandemic?

If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a volunteer on our crisis and 211 lines, please sign up for our next orientation. Training covers everything you need to know to be an effective call specialist.

 

We have TWO January orientation sessions AND a panel discussion for potential volunteers to find out more.

We will hold Volunteer Orientation Meetings on Thurs, January 7, 2021, 7pm-8pm, and repeated on Thurs, January 14, 2021, 7pm-8pm.

To register to attend one of these online orientation meetings, sign up here – www.crisis-center.org/volunteer/ 

 

Find out more – hear from Crisis & Suicide Line volunteers about what it’s like to answer crisis calls: Tuesday, January 12, 2021, 7pm-8pm.

To register to attend this online Crisis Line Volunteer Panel presentation, use this link: www.crisis-center.org/CrisisLinePanel/

More info here or send email to Scott Chavez, our Outreach and Training Coordinator.

View the flyer here.

Join Our Team of Crisis & Suicide Volunteers – Training begins in late January 2021

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The Contra Costa Crisis Center invites you to learn about the various ways to volunteer with us, including helping us on our Crisis & Suicide Hotlines. We will hold Volunteer Orientation Meetings on Thurs, January 7, 2021, 7pm-8pm, and repeated on Thurs, January 14, 2021, 7pm-8pm.

To register to attend one of these online orientation meetings, use this link: www.crisis-center.org/volunteer/

Hear from Crisis & Suicide Line volunteers about what it’s like to answer crisis calls in another online meeting on Tuesday, January 12, 2021, 7pm-8pm.

To register to attend this online Crisis Line Volunteer Panel presentation, use this link: www.crisis-center.org/CrisisLinePanel/

View the flyer here.

12 Days of Giving – Donation Based Outdoor Classes from Formula3 Fitness

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2020 has been a year full of struggles so we are giving back to our community. Over the next few weeks, we will be hosting 12 donation-based outdoor classes plus for every membership or class pack purchase made in the month of December, we will donate 10% of the proceeds to the Contra Costa Crisis Center. Invite your friends and loved ones to class to share in the giving.

Donation Based Outdoor Classes

Fire HIIT at 9:00am
Saturdays, December 12, 19, & 26

Forge Circuit at 9:00am
Sundays, December 13, 20, & 27

Minimum donation: $1

View flyer here.

Threads of Hope

Threads of Hope is Diablo magazine’s celebration of outstanding community volunteers. Each year, individuals and organizations nominate volunteers of all ages who provide vital services in a variety of fields, including the arts, youth, children and families, education, health, the environment, athletics, and more. Then, a team of judges selects a handful of exceptional nominees to be featured in the December issue of Diablo magazine and honored at the Threads of Hope event. Read more about the 2020 Threads of Hope honorees here.

 

Rosemary Caldwell Volunteer of the Year Award

The Rosemary Caldwell Volunteer of the Year Award is the only formal award that the Contra Costa Crisis Center bestows. It is named in honor of Rosemary, a former crisis line director at our agency, and honors an outstanding individual whose unselfish work for the well-being of others embodies the highest standards of volunteerism.

This year we are proud to announce Luke Keenan as 2020 Rosemary Caldwell Volunteer of the Year Award recipient!

Luke began his volunteer work with the Contra Costa Crisis Center in 2015. He has provided over 966 hours of volunteer work to the Crisis Center as a volunteer Call Specialist, Trainer, Outreach Ambassador, Grief Support Group Facilitator, and Share the Spirit committee member.

In addition to his work at the Crisis Center, he is also a former volunteer and trainer at the San Francisco Suicide Prevention hotlines, and a former volunteer at the Trinity Center in Walnut Creek, working with people who are unsheltered. Luke was the San Ramon Rotary Club’s 2017 Unsung Hero Award recipient and received his American Association of Suicidology Individual Crisis Worker Certification in 2018.

Many callers have left messages of praise regarding Luke’s compassion and service. Here are a few samples:

  • “Luke was exceptional- he exceeded my expectations, was professional and personal.”
  • “Luke was fantastic, he is a great representative.”
  • “Luke has helped me a lot, thank you for what you do.”

We are pleased to announce this year’s winner! Like so many things, COVID is affecting how we do this. A small group presentation took place at the center earlier this summer, and Luke was recognized at the September board meeting.

Last weekend would have been our annual volunteer appreciation brunch and we all would have gathered together to celebrate the efforts of all the amazing volunteers and present the Rosemary Caldwell Award to Luke. Even though there is no brunch event this year, we do want to say thank you to all volunteers and look forward to when we can hold the next brunch and other missed events in the future.

Stay safe and THANK YOU!

Suicide Prevention Month Events

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September is National Suicide Prevention Month and National Suicide Prevention Week is September 6 – 12, 2020.
While we need to focus on suicide prevention every day of every year, this month can help bring attention to the efforts. And we can do this by continuously spreading awareness, advocating for research funding, developing innovative and effective treatment tools, being kind, and helping to educate others on things like resources and warning signs. It’s time to get involved. Please join our events and help share messages of help and hope in the community.
If you or anyone you know are having thoughts of suicide or need to speak with someone ready to listen, please call 211 or 800.833.2900, or text HOPE to 20121.

Suicide Prevention Month Events

JOIN US FOR ONE OR BOTH OF THESE EVENTS IN SEPTEMBER:

Sign up for: Suicide Prevention

Tuesday, 09/08/20. 7pm-8pm
With: Scott Chavez, Outreach & Training Lead

· Learn about the language of suicide awareness, current suicide statistics, risk factors and how to help.

Sign up for: What’s it like to be a Crisis Line Volunteer?

Tuesday, 09/15/20 7pm-8pm
With: Contra Costa Crisis Center Volunteer Panel

· Hear from a panel of volunteers what it’s like to be a Crisis Counselor on our 24-hour crisis hotlines.

Click on the session title to register. Sessions will take place via Zoom and session info will be sent via email upon registration.

Help For Seniors on Transportation

Help the Contra Costa Transportation Authority make transportation more convenient for older adults and people with disabilities!

You can participate from home!

If you’re an older adult, have a disability, or are a veteran, transportation in Contra Costa County can be challenging. CCTA wants your input to identify ways to make it easier for you to get around the county—whether you’re going to an appointment, getting groceries, visiting family, or anything else.

Due to the shelter-in-place they are asking individuals to complete the survey online or participate in a short phone interview.

Participants will be entered in a drawing for a $25 gift card!

Take the survey on-line at www.surveymonkey.com/r/CCTA_Survey2 or in en Español at www.surveymonkey.com/r/CCTA_SurveySPN

Call CCTA at 857-305-8004, or email CCTA at info@atspcontracosta.com or visit CCTA at www.atspcontracosta.com for further information. https://atspcontracosta.com/participate

Meet Our Newest Team Member

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Wendy Diaz is our Help Me Grow Care Coordinator.

Wendy previously worked with Aspiranet in Antioch where she served as a Therapeutic Behavioral Support Counselor for the last five years for children under the age of 18 needing mental health support.

She was also there as an Intervention Specialist for children who were special needs and on the Autism Spectrum, and she also did some work as an administrative assistant at the same time.

Her favorite thing about the Crisis Center so far? “I really like how friendly and welcoming everyone is. I know that if I have a question, I can find someone to help me.”

Wendy is an alumni of Liberty High School in Brentwood, is bilingual (English and Spanish) with a Masters in Human Services, a Bachelors and Associates in Psychology, and currently lives in Brentwood.  She enjoys baking, reviewing food places, traveling, and watching anime when she has some spare time.

Welcome, Wendy!

Check out the Help Me Grow program.

Caller Stories – 211 Helps Every Day!

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MORE CALLER STORIES from people we are helping each day:

  • A caller from Pinole was exposed to a family member with coronavirus and quarantined, along with other family members exposed. With two children at home, and no grocery delivery options for EBT, she called 211 for help. We connected her to emergency food delivery, and it “restored (her) faith in community.”
  • Our follow up system helped a suicidal homeless caller stay connected. When she first called, she was in great distress and at high risk for ending her life. We advocated for her with local shelter provider, helped her become calmer, and connected her to services. Through a series of calls to check back with her and connection to the right help, she reclaimed a more hopeful outlook.

Donate here to help those calling in crisis!