Summer 2009 Upcoming Volunteer Events Volunteer Opportunities Helpline Update
TREVOR SPOTLIGHTS VOLUNTEER SUPERSTARS Trevor volunteer superstars shined brightly at the Trevor Volunteer Appreciation Party. The Volunteer Committee and Board of Directors acted as the amazing event hosts throughout the event – greeting guests, mingling and offering introductions to the volunteers. Nearly 70 volunteers and committee members were in attendance to celebrate the dedication, hard work and countless hours that have been put in by Trevor volunteers. The “Hit the Ground Running” and “Lifesaver” awards went to Kenny Ballinger, presented by Kristin Odermatt. Kenny has become a very valuable part of the helpline counselor training team and one of the most active members of the Helpline Counselor Sub-Committee. He also took a 3-hour rescue call on New Year’s Day, saving a life. Kevin Cronin presented the “Willing To Do What it Takes” award to event volunteer Jeff Hare. Using his publicity knowledge, Jeff is an active member of the Communications Committee. Perhaps most importantly, he has personally generated national broadcast and print coverage for Cracked Xmas and every year breaks his own record-setting efforts from the previous year.
The Spartans Softball team received the “Friends of Trevor” award. Along with the visual promoting of our organization, the team has volunteered two years running to assemble kits that go out to schools and individuals requesting information about the organization. David McFarland was the presenter. The “True Spirit of Trevor” award was presented by Sam Borelli to a true veteran volunteer and great asset to the volunteer team, Colleen Worensky. A dedicated and reliable individual, Colleen has always stepped up to the plate and was up to the challenge. The coveted “Volunteer of the Year” award was presented by Peggy Rajski to John Palmer, a veteran helpline counselor. He has logged over 100 hours and is truly a Trevor superstar. He takes time to provide trainees with constructive feedback and help finesse their skills. Congratulations to all award-winning volunteers! And thanks to ALL the volunteers for your dedication, commitment and hard work in making our organization a great success!
Looking for other ways to volunteer? There are many opportunities available, including: Helpline Counselors School Workshop Facilitators Board Committees Event Volunteers
Project Volunteers Office Projects
Visit TheTrevorProject.org/support.aspx to fill out an online application.
Summer 2009
EAST COAST VOLUNTEERS AT TREVOR NY
Circle of Hope Garden Party
The Trevor Project held its second annual Trevor NY event on June 29 at Capitale. The event was a huge success, raising approximately $210,000 for the organization. Once again, the event was also a HUGE success thanks to the efforts of the East Coast volunteers, led by Brian Bish. From gift bag assembly, to striking the set, and everything in between, more than 50 volunteers were on board this year, many helping out in multiple roles.
On May 3, The Trevor Project’s Fifth Annual Circle of Hope Garden Party, hosted by Suzanne Saperstein, brought together many of the donors that help fund all of the amazing initiatives that the organization takes on every year. It was a complete success, which helped to raise more than $135,000 for The Trevor Project.
Before the show, veteran volunteer team captains Daniel Sherman, Daman Harun and Joel Russell welcomed new and returning volunteers, including nearly 20 counselors from the East Coast Call Center. Kelli Peterman, East Coast Call Center Manager, Daniel and Joel each read a "Dear Trevor" letter to remind everyone why they were there. The New York volunteers also announced intentions to form the very first East Coast Volunteer Committee this fall. Already, 15 volunteers have signed up to serve on this new committee. Thanks again to all of the fabulous volunteers for helping make Trevor NY such a success! An extra special thanks to Brian Bish for heading the volunteer efforts for Trevor NY and for his ongoing leadership of the East Coast volunteers.
The event took place at Fleur de Lys located in Beverly Hills and offered the 150 plus guests amazing views while they enjoyed summer cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, a welcoming environment, and an exquisite dinner that left a lasting impression on all who attended. One of the volunteers who helped to make this event happen, Marc Sobul, graciously greeted guests as they entered. For Marc, who has been volunteering for the last few years, it was an added benefit to see friends and even co-workers partake in such a great event. The Trevor Project offers so much more than just a volunteer experience. “I am helping at-risk youth who don’t always have a place to turn for assistance,” Marc says. “The organization helps so many youth that really need that extra support, and I can’t think of a better organization that I would volunteer my time for.”
MAKING AN IMPACT THROUGH CHANGE By Michael Nuttall im•pact (v): to have an affect on; influence change (v): to make the nature, future course, etc., of (something) different from what it is or from what it would be if left alone Have you ever stopped to think about the impact your volunteering efforts have on others and the lives that you have changed? I’m astonished to see that suicide this year is still a top-three killer of young people. And it is truly devastating for me to learn that LGBTQ youth are up to four times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers. Being on the Trevor Helpline offers volunteers the chance to make a positive difference in the world. Volunteers truly get to see the impact they make each and every time the phone rings. Michael Vacha, West Coast Call Center Manager, joined the Trevor team in 2008. Michael always knew that he wanted to help the LGBTQ community in some way, but it wasn’t until he was in college that he learned about the Trevor Project and saw his true calling. It is an incredible experience to suddenly be thrust into a stranger’s world that is reaching out for help in a time of need. No one can really know what will happen when the phone rings and what this new situation will bring. “Being a part of The Trevor Helpline is a life-changing experience,” he says.
SEPTEMBER Summer Women’s Event Saturday, September 12 Vince Women’s Boutique Los Angeles, California Circle of Hope Event Wednesday, September 16 New York, New York Volunteer Appreciation Event Thursday, September 17 PT212 (30 W. 24th St., New York, NY)
Images from Trevor Events 1. Volunteer Recognition Party 2. Circle of Hope Garden Party 3. Trevor New York
n
Michael recounted an experience to me where it became a borderline rescue. Having learned, from the Trevor Project, how to truly listen to someone else, it was easy for Michael to remind this individual about all of the positive things he saw during the conversation and how this individual made a difference in the world. To this day Michael can still hear this young individual say to him, “You saved my life.” So many of us look back at our experiences and wished we had had an outlet to turn to in our time of need. But through the hard work of so many people, the youth of our time finally have an outlet; someone to talk to, someone to listen to them. The Trevor Helpline is the only nationwide, around-the-clock crisis and suicide prevention helpline for LGBTQ youth. We offer hope. Make an impact. Help with change.
o p
OCTOBER Youth Event at Gay Days Friday, October 2 Disneyland Anaheim, California Volunteer Open House Thursday, October 15 Los Angeles, California DECEMBER Cracked Xmas 12 Sunday, December 6 Wiltern Theatre, Los Angeles