Reminder: HELP Training for Presenters November 5th

You can become a volunteer presenter of HELP presentations in middle schools and high schools!  HeartLine is seeking volunteer presenters and have a training session scheduled for Saturday, November 5th.  In this training session from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., volunteer presenters will learn the basic structure of HELP and will be trained in how to present the information and conduct the interactive activities that make up the curriculum. 

Here’s a quick rundown of the requirements for a volunteer trainer:

• 6 hours of training
• Commit to a minimum of 20 volunteer hours per year
• Work within a flexible volunteer schedule that is mostly made up of daytime presentations

To sign up for this training, please contact Lisa Harper, Director of Suicide Prevention & Outreach Programs, by email at lharper@heartlineoklahoma,org or by phone at 405-840-9396 ext. 114. Pre-registration is required.

United Way Day of Caring 2011 and HeartLine Self Care

Sleepy Hollow Lego Build

We were thrilled to have United Way volunteers at HeartLine last Saturday, October 15th for United Way Day of Caring!  Volunteers worked to clean and restore the flower beds and plantings in our courtyard and left it looking MUCH better than they found it!  It was nice to be appreciated for our efforts in the community and pampered with a clean courtyard! 

One of the items we stress at HeartLine, especially to our call specialists, is the idea of self care.  In any job or position that calls for the care of others, it’s important for the care provider to take time and actively restore his or her ability to do their caring jobs well.  To help in this endeavor, we plan numerous self care and organzied fun activites for the staff at HeartLine.  Today we offer a few images to give you a glimpse into this self care.  These images are from HeartLine’s Cinco de Mayo party and a recent organized fun called the Spooky Lego Build.  Lego scenes are depictions of class horror stories such as Frankenstein, The Birds, Hansel and Gretel, and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. 

Whether you are in a helping profession or not, take some time to engage in a least one act of self care each day, whether it’s large or small.  Believe us, you’ll be glad you did.

United Way Day of Caring and HeartLine Self Care gallery

HeartLine Welcomes Lisa Harper as Director of Suicide Prevention Programs

Lisa Harper

HeartLine, Inc. is proud to announce that Lisa Harper joined the staff as Director of Suicide Prevention Programs on April 11th, 2011. Harper’s duties entail facilitating HeartLine’s Healthy Education for Life (HELP) suicide prevention program, recruiting and training volunteers, and scheduling HELP presentations.

HELP teaches youth about the warning signs of depression and suicide and how to get help. Since 1997, HeartLine has reached more than 41,000 youth, educators, and parents through schools and youth-related community groups.

Lisa Harper holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Business Management and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Central Oklahoma. Lisa comes to HeartLine from the Oklahoma Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, which involved collaborating with government, faith-based, and community organizations. Although Harper has worked in many different industries, she has always had a heart for non-profit organizations.

Regarding Harper’s new position at HeartLine, Executive Director and CEO Tom Taylor, II, stated, “We are elated to bring Lisa on as Director of Suicide Prevention Programs at HeartLine. Lisa is a committed advocate for suicide prevention at the community and state level, and we look forward to the expansion and continued success of the HELP program under her leadership.”

HeartLine, Inc. has been serving Oklahoma since 1971 and provides suicide prevention outreach programs, compassionate listening, and crisis intervention services. Call specialists are available around the clock answering HeartLine’s various helplines, including: 2-1-1, the 24/7 helpline 848-CARE, the Oklahoma Problem Gambling Helpline 1-800-522-4700, and two national suicide prevention lines, 1-800-SUICIDE and 1-800-273-TALK. For more information about HeartLine and how to get connected as a volunteer or community partner, contact HeartLine at 405.840.9396 or visit http://www.heartlineoklahoma.org.