Call 1-856-795-2155 to speak with a trained CONTACT volunteer 24 hours a day.

The CONTACT Crisis line is available 24 hours a day to provide supportive active listening, empathetic understanding, and information and referral confidentially and nonjudgementally. CONTACT 609 was founded in 1971 as the 18th national CONTACT center and changed its name to CONTACT Community Services in 1995 to better describe the full scope of the agency mission. Volunteer telephone workers receive 50 hours of intensive training to respond to problems in the human condition such as death and loss, suicide and depression, physical disabilities, substance abuse, family relationships, sexuality, and the life cycle. CONTACT Community Services maintains an extensive computerized data base of local community service agencies to provide callers with links to concrete services, should these be indicated.

The Crisis Line also responds after hours as the answering service for several other agencies in the South Jersey area. Our volunteers provide back-up to assist clients of Women Against Rape, Al-Anon of South Jersey, Family Counselling Service, and Senior Citizens United Community Services.

Over 14,226 calls were answered on the Crisis Line in 1995. Concerns included:

* Interpersonal Relations 6349

* Mental/Emotional Health 4451

* Basic Life Necessities 776

* Physical Health/Disabilities 601

* Substance Abuse 291

* Personal Growth 114

* Social Community Issues 592

* CONTACT Business and Other 3421

* Answering Service 2032

The CONTACT training committee also provides inservices on active-listening, sensitivity skills, peer mediation and other topics to local businesses community groups.

The Crisis Line provides a vital service to the community. When there may be no one else to call, CONTACT listens.

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