Volunteers: Going Above and Beyond the Call of Duty

Volunteers: Going Above and Beyond the Call of Duty

Julie Grassi, Bill McGrath

COMMON GROUND SANCTUARY

1410 Telegraph Road

Bloomfield Hills, MI

248-456-8150

The mission of Common Ground Sanctuary is to provide a lifeline for individuals and families in crisis, victims of crime, persons with mental illness, people trying to cope with critical situations and runaway and homeless youths. We listen, we care, we help….24 hours a day, seven days a week. While Common Ground Sanctuary has a staff of full time and part time employees dedicated to making our mission a reality, it would not be possible to provide many of our services without the dedication of over 100 volunteers, some of whom have over thirty years of service to the agency.

The cornerstone of the agency is the 24 hour crisis telephone line which provides crisis intervention, confidential counseling, debriefing and information and referrals. Volunteers serve both as telephone crisis workers as well as supervisors who manage the activities of the crisis line during their weekly shift. An offshoot of the crisis line is a Teen2Teen talk line, staffed by teen volunteers to provide an outlet to talk anonymously and confidentially to a peer about issues they are facing.

Volunteers also serve in a wide variety of capacities in the youth services provided by CGS. Youth Services include short term, safe haven for runaway and troubled youths, transitional living shelter for homeless youths, and apartment living for young people ages 17-22. Volunteer peer mentors connect with youth living on the streets and provide counseling and referrals through the Street Outreach Program.

Common Ground Sanctuary is contracted by the Oakland County Community Mental Health Agency to provide emergency psychiatric services for Oakland county residents who are uninsured or underinsured for mental health services or those on Medicare or Medicaid. Volunteers provide much needed support services in greeting patients and their families.

In addition to crisis intervention services, CGS also offers a variety of programs for the community for education, support and advocacy of those in crisis. Volunteer attorneys provide free legal advice and referrals through the weekly legal clinic. Volunteers assist staff members in facilitating support groups including Survivors of Suicide and Survivors of Homicide. Volunteers also work as victim advocates providing support and advocacy for victims of crime, domestic and sexual abuse and workplace violence.

Volunteers are also involved in the administrative functions of the agency. Serving on various committees, facilitating the selection and training of new volunteers, and organizing fund raising activities throughout the year, CGS volunteers go above and beyond the call of duty each and every day.

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