Want to become a YouthLine volunteer?
Become an ambassador for change! By volunteering with YouthLine, you’ll give help and hope to peers who are going through a hard time.
Why volunteer? Maybe you’ve been there before. Maybe you know what it’s like to struggle with mental health, to feel alone, or to be broken up with. With all the training and supervision you get, you will feel well supported in helping your peers be healthy and stay safe.
Our volunteers are ages 15 to 20. You can volunteer in two different ways:
YouthLine Peer Specialist
In one 3.5 hour shift per week, you’ll answer phone calls, texts, and chats from other teens who call our helpline. Shifts run every day from 4:00-7:30pm or 6:30-10:00pm. You’ll also participate in one outreach activity each month, such as classroom education, tabling, or speaking at an event.
YouthLine Outreach Specialist
You’ll attend four outreach events each month, such as classroom education, tabling, or speaking opportunities. You’ll also attend one 3.5 hour YouthLine listening shift each month to shadow fellow volunteers who are taking phone calls, texts, and chats from other teens. Outreach specialists volunteer at presentations and events during the school day and on nights and weekends.
What does it take?
To be a volunteer, you must:
- Be age 15 or older
- Live in the Portland metro area
- Commit to volunteering with YouthLine for at least one year
- Complete all orientation and training requirements, which include:
- 3-hour orientation, including a brief applicant interview
- 50 hours of training and shadowing
Ready to get started?
To find out if volunteering is right for you or to initiate the process, email YouthL@linesforlife.org.
Forms
After you have initiated the process, you’ll receive further instructions about how to complete and submit the following application materials:
YouthLine Volunteer Application (age 17 and under) >
YouthLine Volunteer Application (age 18 and older) >