HelpLine of Delaware and Morrow Counties, Inc. (HelpLine) is excited to share the tremendous impact we have had over the past year and the myriad of ways we connect people in moments that matter.
HelpLine connects our community to the service, knowledge, and skills they need to tackle life’s challenges. In this way, we are Connecting People in Moments that Matter. Here are few key results from 2015:
- HelpLine seeks to foster a healthier, safer community by addressing suicide and depression, sexual assault, child sexual abuse, and family/interpersonal violence through a broad range of evidence-based initiatives that include educating, mobilizing, and influencing change on all levels. This past year, violence and suicide prevention program contacts reached 22,841, educating individuals with prevention programs/training in schools in Delaware and Morrow.
- HelpLine is the key source of immediate, skilled, and nonjudgmental help in restoring well-being for those experiencing a life crisis. We made over 16,652 referrals for food, clothing, housing, mental health and other critical services and linked over 9,800 callers to community resources and crisis support. We provided over 500 interventions to survivors of sexual assault in Delaware, Morrow, Crawford and Wyandot counties.
- HelpLine helps to sustain and strengthen our community through mobilizing volunteers to meet critical needs. Connections, a program of HelpLine, provided 16,722 hours of volunteerism to Delaware County (35% of hours completed by older adults).
The community saved $358,854.00 in personnel costs last year due to donated volunteer time through Connections referred and matched volunteers.
“Consumers frequently are referred to HelpLine by our outstanding community partners and once connected are immediately brought into a multi-faceted support network that meets the needs of the whole person” says Susan Hanson, HelpLine Executive Director. “A person may call our crisis hotline and through the call process it is discovered they meet the criteria for other in-house or additional community programs. Our staff is trained to connect and identify needs to set the consumer up for success. We take into account all that is happening in a consumer’s life, not just the primary reason for the first contact.”
HelpLine’s 2015 Annual Meeting was held on September 29 in Delaware County. During the 2015 Annual Meeting, outstanding individuals were recognized for their contributions in volunteer work and community service. The evening served as a chance to share outcomes and honor several individuals. This year’s annual meeting was dedicated in memory of Linda Owings, a dedicated Hotline staff member at HelpLine for over 14 years, who passed away after a brief but courageous battle with cancer.
For her work with the Sexual Assault Response Network (SARN) program, Kimberly Eckart received the Lucile P. Ubben Volunteer of the Year award. She goes above and beyond in all aspects of volunteering for HelpLine! Survivors of sexual assault appreciate her deep compassion and empathy for them in one of the darkest times of their lives.
The Katherine Gharrity Community Service Award was given to both the Delaware Police Department and the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office. HelpLine could not meet the goal of connecting those who are struggling with emergency and other critical services without their support. These local law enforcement agencies have shown kindness, respect, and professionalism to both HelpLine staff and Delaware City and County residents served, as well as, a strong willingness to partner with a variety of agencies to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the community.
Additionally, four of HelpLine’s own, Leslie Baldwin (15 years of service), Jim Rundle (15 years of service), Nora Flanagan (5 years of service) and Nancy Radcliffe (5 years of service) were recognized for their great dedication to the agency’s mission. There are so many people and agencies who make the work of HelpLine possible – HelpLine is proud to be a partner in making our communities a better place to live!
