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Switchboard of Miami, Inc.
March 7, 2010

One of the unsung heroes of Miami. As a volunteer of an undeserved community, Switchboard opened it's doors and its heart to a cause I felt deeply about ... Suicide in the gay community. It's staff and volunteers embraced the need and developed a 24/7 helpline reaching out to the individuals, families and friends. It's this spirit, devotion and love for the entire community that has motivated Switchboard of Miami to create over 10 specialty hotlines to help some of the neediest segments of our community, from a gang hotline, to a Seniors Never Alone program. They also answer the Miami-Dade 211 calls and a portion of the 1-800-Suicide National Hotline. Their out-reach into the community has touched thousands families in schools based and after school programs. As a direct result of their efforts, friends of mine are here with us today ... making and building our community! Fluent in English, Spanish and Creole staff and volunteers are ready 24/7 to help.

The Great!

I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...

- saving over 200 lives... in just the Gay Hotline - Answering over 180,000 calls a yr! - calling hundreds of seniors each week so they can keep living in their homes - Working with young, first time offenders and their families to keep them out of jail

Ways to make it better...

If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...

I couldn't do half the job that the the staff and volunteers currently do.

More feedback

What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...

making a difference. Having an impact on our community

The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...

young, older, wealthy, economically challenged, handicapped .... all extremely talented, hard working and caring. I've also see the future leaders of our social service organizations learn and grow at Switchboard

If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...

Save more lives, help more families at time of crisis, keep more seniors in their communities longer, assist more youth address sexual issues, abuse issues, gang and community issues and first time juvenile offenders and their families....

Ways to make it better...

If I had more time and resources to give.

In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...

Addressing increased demand both in 24/7 tri-lingual call center (over 180,000 calls per year!!!) and requests to serve more schools, more seniors, more families ... While budgets and funding sources are reduced.

One thing I'd also say is that...

As technology changes to more internet and cell phone (text) communication Switchboard of Miami, Inc. has an exciting opportunity to reach more people.

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

2010

MY ROLE:
Volunteer & 5 years as volunteer creating and implimenting the GLBTQ Helpline and Suicide Awareness Program and most recently elected as a Board member.