Parental Stress Line Counselors:

 

“One mother told me that I had been very helpful because I didn’t tell her what to do.  She liked being asked instead, ‘how do you feel about’ doing this or that.  The model that we use really works in most situations.  It requires a lot of patience.”

“The Parental Stress Line has taught me valuable skills that have served me well as a social worker and in my social interactions in my daily life. Taking calls on the Parental Stress Line has allowed me to develop my skills in dealing with stressful situations in a calm and empathetic manner which has proven to be invaluable as I continue my career in social work.”

“The Parental Stress Line makes it really easy to volunteer.  I’m much more apt to take shifts because it’s just so easy to work from home.”

“The communication skills I've learned help me with almost every call…When someone doesn't know you, but calls you for help, they quickly gain trust in you when they feel that you do understand and that you're really listening. These listening skills have helped me with relationships in my personal life.

“There’s never any pressure.  A supervisor is always available.  I get a lot of satisfaction from the callers.”

 

 

Parent Support Group Facilitators:

“It's something I do that I just feel good about. There's no doubt in my mind that this Parent Support Group is a positive force in the members' lives, and we can see change happen.”  

“Being a Facilitator, even only for a short time, has really opened my heart up.  I have a much greater understanding of and appreciation for others' resilience, empathy, and deep insight.  I'm so grateful for the opportunity to share an evening with such an unbelievably open and soulful group of people.”

“Parents come to talk about some of the most personal and difficult problems a family can face.  They all help one another and in the process also help themselves.  My job as a Facilitator is to make the group a safe place to talk about anything and of course to listen.”

“Volunteering for Parents Helping Parents has allowed me to personally take part in ensuring that a valuable resource for Massachusetts parents will be there in the future.”

“Volunteering as a Facilitator has given me the opportunity to watch parents grow and make positive changes in their lives and the lives of their families.  While providing a safe place for them to come and talk about their problems, I’ve witnessed how eager parents are to share their knowledge and help one other.  Parents quickly learn that they are not the “only ones” with issues. Tears are often replaced by smiles and laughter and an inner peace replaces anger.”