CRISIS CONNECTION

Margo* says, “I need to find the strength to make it through one more day.” A single mother with no family support, very limited finances and no transportation, Margo has been toting her sick two-year-old, Jessica, to medical appointments for two months, using public transportation. The child has acute abdominal pain, and they still didn’t know what is wrong. More tests are scheduled for the next day. After talking with the trained volunteer counselor, who provided support and feedback, Margo says, “Well, now I think I can make it through tomorrow.”

Obehi* is a college student from Nigeria. His mother made tremendous sacrifices and the whole village proudly assembled to send him to America for his education. He’s been here six months and just found out he is HIV+. Believing that he has let everyone down, he sees suicide as the only way out. After a long conversation with the counselor, Obehi comes back to his desire to bring his mother to America and buy her a house, and realizes he needs to stay alive to do that.

These are just a few of the types of calls answered by HSI-Crisis Connection. Operating since 1969, we have offered callers counseling, information, referrals for support services, and crisis intervention (911) when necessary. Our Community Call Center includes the Crisis Hot Line (612-379-6363) for any self-defined crisis; the Men's Line (612-379-6367), a statewide counseling line for those who want to talk about issues of abuse, anger, and violence in their lives; and a statewide crisis line (1-866-379-6367) targeted to rural Minnesotans. We answer all calls to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-TALK) that originate in Minnesota. Workline, a counseling program for Hennepin County Minnesota Family Investment Program supports families moving from welfare to work, providing counseling and assistance with emergency childcare and transportation. We train other nonprofit professionals in crisis counseling and intervention, and were recently recertified by the American Association of Suicidology. Our Teen Education Program provides youth, teachers and counselors with mental health information and suicide awareness skills.

HSI-Crisis Connection is fueled by over 80 volunteers, who, in 2010, contributed countless hours of their time answering calls and providing other services. Volunteer Amelia* says, “I have worked for one of the largest and most admired financial services companies in the world for 15 years. I have attended and performed a fair amount of training there. The training I received at Crisis Connection is as good as, if not better, than any I have experienced.”

We are funded by corporate and individual donors; corporate, foundation, religious and civis grants; Greater Twin Cities United Way; and Hennepin County program support. The agency "Meets All Standards" of the Charities Review Council for agency operational integrity.

* Names changed to protect the anonymity of our callers and volunteers