Training cohorts occur three times each year. Apply today!
Why Volunteer with Crisis Support Services of Alameda County (CSS)?
Our programs are only possible through the work of our dedicated volunteers. By giving a few hours each week, you can make a difference for someone in need. Our volunteers enjoy working on a team and are part of an engaged, diverse, and caring community. Most importantly, our volunteers take pride in providing an essential service to the community and making a difference in other people’s lives.
Volunteer Training
Our extensive volunteer training program is intended to train community members to respond to crisis and provide counseling for those in need, with an emphasis on suicide prevention. While our volunteers come from all walks of life, for those pursuing or considering a career in mental health, volunteering with CSS is particularly beneficial. You will learn new skills, gain experience in a specialized area of counseling, and broaden your depth of knowledge.
Crisis Line Counselors
Volunteers who have successfully completed our training program are Crisis Line Counselors. Crisis Line Counselors must be empathetic, respectful, culturally responsive, and able to effectively engage and connect with others. Additionally, our volunteers must navigate a fast-paced virtual environment multitasking with various technological platforms to serve the needs of our community. By volunteering with CSS, Crisis Line Counselors provide crucial intervention services for people in crisis at the time of their greatest need. Crisis Line Counselors also gain unique insight and experience in the mental health field while working collaboratively with a supportive team. By providing non-judgmental, person-centered counseling, you will be supporting those in crisis and helping to reduce the stigma around mental illness and suicide.
No experience is necessary to volunteer. We will be training you on all the necessary skills.
The Commitment
Crisis Line Counselors must successfully complete our training program by attending all training classes and showing proficiency and competency in suicide assessment and building rapport with callers. We also expect all Crisis Line Counselors to adhere to agency protocols and philosophy. Our training program takes approximately 2 months. You will attend several weekend or weekday training classes, along with receiving one-on-one training with an experienced trainer. After you complete our training, we ask for a one-year commitment of one 4-hour shift per week.
Please see our Volunteering FAQ for answers to specific questions. You can also contact us for additional information not addressed in the FAQ.
How to Apply
If you are interested in applying for to volunteer with us at Crisis Support Services of Alameda County, please submit the online application form or download and return the completed application via email to training@crisissupport.org or via US mail to: Crisis Support Services at P.O. Box 3120, Oakland, CA 94609.
