The Crisis Center is a non-profit organization that provides the greater Lafayette community, including Purdue University, with crisis intervention and information about and referral to area agencies. Services, provided by trained volunteers, are confidential and free, available by phone or in person 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Over half of the 80-100 volunteers are Purdue students who have found a way to be actively involved with helping others while developing lifelong skills. Students must successfully complete a 45-hour training program and internship period at the Crisis Center to become a volunteer. Once volunteers complete training, they work a shift each week and talk with people in crisis about family problems, relationship problems, rape, abuse, sexuality, suicide, environmental needs like food and housing, as well as provide referrals to other community services.
Most contacts are over the telephone, but some are face to face.
While currently not directly connected to any classroom study, student volunteers use listening skills in many fields including psychology, sociology, children and family studies, etc. Many Crisis Center volunteers report that the skills and experience they gain give them an extra advantage in some classes. But most volunteers don t do it for the recognition. They do it because it helps them learn ways to listen, to empathize, to connect with others. The knowledge and practical wisdom they take from the Crisis Center can help them be more effective in relationships with their family, friends, co-workers, and community.