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OCTOBER 8, 1998
THEVISTA
National teenage helpline recruiters seek volunteers By Julie Jordan
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eenline, a nationwide telephone helpline for young people, is looking for volunteers to answer phones and provide an anonymous means for callers to discuss issues they feel are important. Teenline began as a local hotline for teens, and then became national. Teenline was started in 1985, after the TV movie "Surviving" was shot in Oklahoma. The movie was about teen suicide and around 100 extras from Oklahoma were hired for the filming, said Debbie Rector, Teenline director. The extras started asking who they should talk to if they had a problem. Parents of the extras got together and threw a fundraiser with "Surviving" star Molly Ringwald attending, and raised enough money to start Teenline, Rector said.
ilYWANYNNW6 119 N. University
Dr. William Caire "The philosophy of Teenline is not to promote ourselves as counselors or give advice. We are a sounding board, using active listening skills to help," Rector said. If the caller wishes to seek further help, they are referred to a professional. "We get calls from Arkansas, Texas, Florida and all over the U.S.," Rector said. Volunteers are given 40 hours of free training on subjects such STUDENT SPECIALS Small Pizza $4.99 Med. Pizza $5.99 Large Pizza $6.99 (up to 3 toppings) Free Delivery To Dorms I
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as active listening skills and how to work the phone lines. "Without our volunteers, Teenline doesn't exist," Rector said. Community professionals are brought in to give volunteers information on signs of chemical dependency, sexually transmitted disease and pregnancy prevention and suicide, Rector said. One professional, that occasionally assists in training the volunteers, is Dr. Louis Irving, UCO professor of sociology. Irving attempts to give the volunteers a better understanding of human sexuality, and make them feel comfortable using sexual terms. "I try to give a better appreciation of what sexuality is," Irving said. The only requirement to volunteer for Teenline is applicants must be at least 16 years old. Volunteers range from young adults to senior citizens,
Rector said. The volunteers are required to work two to three shifts per month, for one year. "The only reason for termination is failure to follow policies and procedures," Rector said.
Students or faculty wanting to apply need to get an application from Rector and attend the training session on Oct. 17 and 18 at University Hospital's Nicholson Tower, in Oklahoma City. For more information, call Rector at 522-3835.
GET ON THE FAST TRACK Earn Three Credit Hours inJust 5 Weeks! Fast Track Classes Begin Nov. 7 — Mid-Fall Oct. 20 Call 682-7580 for Details. www.okc.cc.ok.us
