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Reflections
from our Volunteers, "2-1-1 Big Bend is helping me to discover
what it really means to listen... to refrain from giving advice
or feeling compelled to solve another's problems. It has made all
the difference in my relationships at home, at work, and in the
community." "I learned more at 2-1-1 Big Bend than in
college. 2-1-1 Big Bend guided me into my career." "The training is tremendously rewarding in
terms of substance, friendships, and interpersonal growth." "How I grew! A life-changing time." "I feel like I've been made more aware of
what's going on in the world, especially as it relates to HIV and
AIDS. I also feel like I'm more in touch with my feelings and those
of my friends and family. There's nothing like answering a tough
call and feeling like I've really helped someone through something
-- it's cathartic and exhilarating all at once. I'm really impressed
by the work we do and very proud to be a part of it." "2-1-1 Big Bend provided me with solid groundwork
of therapy skills that I have carried into my psychology doctoral
program and added to my clinical skills and personal growth."
"When I started here way back in the day
as a volunteer with 2-1-1 Big Bend, I had no idea that it would
change my life forever. I thank 2-1-1 Big Bend for teaching me an
abundance of communication and counseling skills that have seemed
to serve me in every aspect of my life. I also thank 2-1-1 Big Bend
for exposing me to people of all different backgrounds and lifestyles
and teaching me to appreciate those differences. I thank 2-1-1 Big
Bend for providing me with an environment to grow and learn the
talents I never knew I had. Most of all, I thank 2-1-1 Big Bend
for supporting me and treating me like family. Even though I am
excited about moving into a new career, I will truly miss the time
I had here." "It was an experience that shaped my life,
both personally and professionally." "Some of the most caring and loving people
in the world." "My volunteer experience with 2-1-1 Big Bend
has truly been one of the highlights of my college education. I
am forever grateful for what 2-1-1 Big Bend has given me. I will
always cherish the knowledge I have received and the friendships
I have made." "I now provide individual and group therapy
to psychiatric patients. To this day, the training I received at
2-1-1 Big Bend surpasses any other in terms of specifics of "how
to" deal with people in crisis!" "I met my best friend in training - still
friends after all these years!" "2-1-1 Big Bend contributed at a substantial
level to my growth and development as a social work professional.
I am grateful for the years I spent at 2-1-1 Big Bend." "I still recall the very first time
I heard a caller get the pills that she had planned to use to kill
herself and flush them down the toilet. Nothing can top the experience
of knowing that the three hours I volunteered that week may have
saved someone's life." "What a joy to see how the organization has
grown and flourished!" "The staff and volunteers were wonderfully
nurturing and supportive." "The skills gained at 2-1-1 Big Bend
have allowed me to become a better listener, friend, counselor,
employee, leader, and supervisor in every area of my life. They've
also provided a solid foundation for my training as a therapist.
I would recommend this training to anyone who is interested in entering
the helping professions as well as those who simply wish to improve
their communication skills." "I began volunteering with 2-1-1 Big Bend while I was
studying Psychology at FSU. I heard people say they learned more in the 2-1-1
Big Bend training program than in many of their college classes, but I didn't
believe it until I had been through the training myself. I'll never forget how
I have been able to help people when they need it most - whether a person is
struggling to keep food on the table for their kids, or a child is being bullied
at school, or a person is thinking about killing themselves. I learned more
practical skills than I could have imagined, and I'm proud to have been part
of such a valuable service for our community." "Volunteering at 2-1-1 Big Bend is one of the most rewarding
things I think I have done in my life. The feeling that you get after finishing a
call, knowing that you have just helped someone see their way out of a troubling
situation is one that you can't get doing many other things. It does my heart
good to be able to help someone in need." "Working at 2-1-1 is life changing...in the sense that not only
are you stretching yourself to grow to an amazing person, but also in the sense
that more times than not, you know you have truly helped someone, and changed
their life. The first time you hear someone stop crying...the first time someone
says that you've helped them...the first time someone says thank you--you'll be
hooked and you won't forget it!" "There are so many supportive people working here and it's great.
I have never worked with a group of people that are so supportive of each other and
our community. I saw a story on the news last week where one of the agencies we refer
individuals in need was in need of donations to help the 700 families they service each
year. I posted a message via email about it and two days later we had $230 to give to the
agency all out of the kindness of the hearts of the counselors and staff here. This just
goes to show how caring and supportive people can be in times of need!" |
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