The Big Bend’s local services hotline is putting out the call for new volunteers. But 2-1-1 doesn’t just help callers--it’s good for the operators, too.
2-1-1 Big Bend connects the community with all kinds of services, whether it’s crisis counseling or help covering the utilities bill. And volunteer coordinator Julienne Erwin says they rely on their volunteer network to help those in need. But Erwin says hotline counselors benefit, too.
“They’re actually on the phone with callers getting counseling experience,” Erwin says, “and when they reach 200 hours we’re able to provide them with a letter of recommendation which is very helpful in finding jobs after volunteering, or getting into grad programs and it’s also just very rewarding.
Volunteers have to complete a 75 hour training program, and the hotline is hoping to bring on 30 to 40 new operators. The next training begins June 2.
