In the fall, Danny Carnahan ’15 began looking for a volunteer opportunity that would be interesting and help him give back to his community. An online search through www.volunteermatch.org led Danny to Community Helpline in Redondo Beach, a free peer-to-peer listening and referral telephone service operated by volunteers. After applying and being accepted into the program, Danny enrolled in an intensive 50-hour training course to learn the types of crises he would provide counseling for, and most importantly, how to provide help to the persons on the other end of the phone. According to Community Helpline, he is the first volunteer from Bishop Montgomery in the organization’s 40 year history.
Now, fully-trained and working a minimum of three shifts a month, Danny takes calls and offers support to people struggling with substance abuse, domestic violence, depression, suicide, anxiety, stress, grief and loss. This opportunity “has made me aware of how difficult it can be for other people. Some people can just have really bad luck in their lives, and need help dealing with it,” he explains. Because of the depth and extent of his training, and the experience that builds with each call, Danny is able to listen and support his callers, and also, if needed, provide a myriad of additional contacts, support services, and resources for additional care.
The experience with Community Helpline has provided Danny with much more than just hours of volunteering on his resume. He is surprised by the effect it has had. “Originally, I thought I would just show up and volunteer,” he says, “but it is a really important part of [my] life now.”
Now, fully-trained and working a minimum of three shifts a month, Danny takes calls and offers support to people struggling with substance abuse, domestic violence, depression, suicide, anxiety, stress, grief and loss. This opportunity “has made me aware of how difficult it can be for other people. Some people can just have really bad luck in their lives, and need help dealing with it,” he explains. Because of the depth and extent of his training, and the experience that builds with each call, Danny is able to listen and support his callers, and also, if needed, provide a myriad of additional contacts, support services, and resources for additional care.
The experience with Community Helpline has provided Danny with much more than just hours of volunteering on his resume. He is surprised by the effect it has had. “Originally, I thought I would just show up and volunteer,” he says, “but it is a really important part of [my] life now.”