CrisisLink Chosen to Provide 2-1-1 Service Starting February 2008
 Service will connect residents with health and human services regionwide

"We are very excited to be chosen as the 2-1-1 provider for Northern Virginia," says Carol Loftur-Thun, executive director of CrisisLink. "The social services maze is so complicated to navigate that many people in need don't even know where to start. If they are elderly, disabled, homeless, sick, or in crisis, it can be overwhelming to try to access help to keep problems from getting worse. CrisisLink has been linking people to community resources for over 38 years, so this is a natural extension of our Hotlines, and we're grateful to our state legislators and the Virginia Department of Social Services for helping to make 2-1-1 possible in Northern Virginia." 2-1-1 in Northern Virginia will be up and running in February 2008.

Read more... 

 National Survivors of Suicide Day
 Saturday, November 17

National Survivors of Suicide Day was created by U.S. Senate resolution, through the efforts of Sen. Harry Reid of Nevada, who lost his father to suicide. View the text of the resolution..

Everyday, CrisisLink's Tara Sirmans Survivors HOPE Program provides comprehensive support for those who have lost someone to suicide. Find out more about this program online or by contacting Mary Azoy, LPC, at 703-516-6771 or marya@crisislink.org.

 

 CrisisLink Welcomes 12 New Hotline Volunteers
 New volunteers join 100+ others committed to serving the community

Congratulations to our newest class of Hotline volunteers. The fall 2007 class joins CrisisLink's team of 100+ volunteers committed to helping those in crisis and/or considering suicide. Each volunteer successfully passed a rigorous 50 hour training program and has committed to volunteering at least 150 hours over the next year. Congratulations to our new volunteers and to the thousands of others who have made CrisisLink's 24/7 crisis Hotline possible for the last 38 years!

Stay tuned for information on our winter training class!

Find out more about the commitment these volunteers have made to CrisisLink 

 CrisisLink is Pleased to Announce Several Staff Changes
 Changes will facilitate continued expansion of services

With demand for our services at record levels, and the addition of 2-1-1 to our array of programs, it was only a matter of time before we needed to expand our staff.

• Jamie Carter has been named NOVA 2-1-1 Call Center Director and will oversee CrisisLink's newest program. Jamie has served as Hotline and Volunteer Manager since joining CrisisLink in June 2007.
• In October, CrisisLink welcomed Lindsay Paulette-Chapman as the new Hotline and Volunteer Manager. Lindsay comes to CrisisLink from the Suicide Prevention Action Network USA, where she was Development Coordinator.
• In July, CrisisLink welcomed Marshall Ellis as Director of Development. Marshall joined CrisisLink's staff after a six year stint at the Fulbright Association, where he was most recently Senior Director, Membership.
• In August, CrisisLink welcomed Elise Lever as the new Development and Public Relations Associate. Elise comes to us from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation where she was a Director of Special Events.

 

 Too Young to Die, Teen Suicide in our Community
 December 10, 6:45-9 p.m., Alexandria, VA

On Monday, December 10, the Alexandria Community Service Board System of Care Program will present Too Young to Die, Teen Suicide in our Community. The program will feature a panel discussion by leading experts in teen suicide and family grief and loss, followed by a question and answer period. Panelists include:

• Kathy Harkey, president, Central Virginia Chapter of NAMI, and vice president, Hanover County Community Support Services Board. Ms. Harkey lost her oldest son to suicide in 2006.
• Duane Bowers, LPC, author, Guiding Your Family through Loss and Grief and A Child Is Missing: Proving Support for Families of Missing Children. Mr. Bowers is a licensed professional counselor in private practice.
• Mary Azoy, LPC, CPT, director of community education and crisis response, CrisisLink
• Nicole Roher, MS, Psy.D, therapist, Alexandria CSB Outpatient Youth and Family program

The program will be held at the Minnie Howard Auditorium, 3801 W. Braddock Rd., Alexandria, VA, and will run from 6:45 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Download a program flier [PDF] to share with friends, colleagues, and others. 

 Joshua Omvig Veterans Suicide Prevention Act Becomes Law
 President Bush signed act into law on November 5

The Joshua Omvig Veterans Suicide Prevention act directs the government to develop and carry out a comprehensive program aimed at reducing suicide among veterans. The act is named after Joshua Omvig, a 22-year old veteran who took his own life in 2005 after an 11 month tour in Iraq. Male veterans are twice as likely to die by suicide as non-veterans and one out of five suicides is a veteran.

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 Raise Funds and Awareness by Wrapping Presents
 Volunteers needed for unique fundraiser with L.L. Bean

As the holiday season approaches, so does CrisisLink's annual gift wrapping fundraiser at L.L. Bean at Tysons Corner. Last year, volunteers wrapping gifts for L.L. Bean shoppers raised $1,500 to support CrisisLink's programs. Be part of the action this year by volunteering for a 3 or 4 hour shift! CrisisLink will be wrapping presents from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on November 24, December 20-22, and December 24. Sign up for as many (or as few) 3-4 hour shifts as you'd like. Feel free to bring friends--the more, the merrier! Contact Elise Lever at 703-527-6603 or rsvp@crisislink.org to sign up or find out more.

 

 Opportunity for Involvement: Join a Special Event Committee
 Meet new people while helping to make LinkUp & Listen 2008 a Success

Help raise funds and awareness by serving on a special event committee for our annual gala, LinkUp & Listen, or for one of our other events, such as Party for Life, the Outback Fashion Show, and more. Committee members help secure auction items and/or sponsorships, as well as offer ideas for maximizing the success of our events. Orientation and training is provided by staff and experienced volunteers. This is a great opportunity for those seeking volunteer activities that are flexible, make a difference, and are part of a dynamic (and fun) team. No previous event experience is necessary. Please contact Marshall Ellis at 703-516-6768 or marshall@crisislink.org to discuss how you might help!