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Volunteer
Join the YouthLine Team!
Why volunteer? Maybe you’ve been there before. Maybe you know what it’s like to struggle with mental health, to feel alone, or to be broken up with. Maybe you really want to help others. Maybe it is all of the above. By volunteering with YouthLine, you can offer help and hope to peers going through a hard time.
With all the training and supervision you get, you will feel well supported in helping your peers be heard and making the best choice for them to move toward safety and wellness. For more information, text ‘ORVol’ to 85511 or email us at YouthL@linesforlife.org!
YouthLine offers two volunteering positions!
1.
For people ages 15-24: YouthLine Peer Crisis Intervention Specialists spend 3.5 hours per week on shift answering phone calls, texts, chats, and emails from other youth throughout the nation who contact our help, support, and crisis line. Shifts run from 3:45-7:15pm or 6:45-10:15pm Pacific Time daily with variation for our call centers in Bend, Warm Springs, and at McDaniel High School. You’ll also have the opportunity to participate in outreach activities, such as classroom education, tabling, and presentations at events.
2.
For people ages 21+: YouthLine Coaching Volunteers spend 6.5 hours per week on shift mentoring YouthLine Peer Crisis Intervention Specialists and answering phone calls, texts, chats, and emails from youth throughout the nation who contact our help, support, and crisis line. Shifts run from 3:45-10:15pm Pacific Time.
What’s it take?
To volunteer with YouthLine, you must:
- Be at least 15 years old.
- Live in the Portland Metro, Warm Springs, or Central Oregon Tri-County areas.
- Commit to volunteering with YouthLine for at least one year.
- Complete all orientation and training requirements, which include:
- 2-hour orientation (more information below).
- Applicant interview.
- 65+ hours of training and shadowing.
Training
Monthly Orientations
Interested in volunteering with YouthLine? Take the first step and attend one of our virtual YouthLine Volunteer Orientations!
Orientations occur every 2nd Thursday of each month from 5:30-7:30pm. Potential volunteers who are 15-17 years old must attend with a parent or guardian.
Sign up for an upcoming orientation here!
Multiple Trainings a Year
Join one of our trainings that happen every year. Training opportunities may vary depending on your location
Spring: March
Summer: June & August
Winter: December
We offer 5 trainings a year- please email youthl@linesforlife.org or text ORVOL to 85511 if you have questions about future training dates.
Ready to get started?
Text ‘ORVol’ to 85511 or email us at YouthL@linesforlife.org!
Learn more about our Work Study Program!
Work Study positions are available for young people for whom there may be social or financial barriers to participating in volunteer work with YouthLine. Learn more here.
Internships
If you are interested in interning with YouthLine, please email YouthL@linesforlife.org for more information. We have options for both undergraduate and graduate students.