Over the summer, I came across this organization known as Crisis Text Line. After some research, I learned that this organization gives regular people like me the chance to make a difference in other peoples’ lives.

Crisis Text Line is dedicated to training people to be crisis counselors through eight-weeks of what is essentially “empathy training”. During my training, I learned how to truly empathize and talk about everything from self-harm to sex trafficking. I learned how to build rapport and discuss strangers’ problems and how to get them to a good place by the end of the texting conversation. By the end of the online training, I was a full-fledged crisis counselor.

Who exactly are these ‘crisis counselors’? They could be anyone. Whether you are a twenty-year-old college student like me or a father of two, CTL will accept anyone who is willing to put in the hours and effort to being a source of comfort and guidance for a person in need.

And who exactly are these people texting in? Once again, they could be anyone. Your next-door neighbor who feels helpless against the bullies at school. A mother with three kids who wants to leave her abusive husband, but feels like there is nowhere to turn. It could be a high school kid who was just kicked out of their home due to their sexuality or a college student who just needs someone to talk to. The problems vary, but 24/7, there is a crisis counselor on the other side of the text who will provide judgment-free, empathetic care.

About a week ago I had the opportunity to meet with Nancy Lublin, the CEO and Founder herself. She came to Holy Cross, as she was selected to give the Hanify-Howland seminar and speech. In the time that I met her, Mrs. Lublin expressed how thankful she was for and acknowledged my volunteering for CTL in her actual speech. Mrs. Lublin was an exceptionally encouraging and enthusiastic woman and truly believes in the power of young people. She also truly believes that what I, and so many others do every week for four hours or more, literally saves lives.

This is exactly why you should volunteer. You would be surprised as to how many people are awake at 2am, desperately needing someone to talk to. You would be surprised how many people are so appreciative for the service and the thoughtful counselors that Crisis Text Line provides.

Not only has Crisis Text Line changed the lives of the people who have texted in, but I can honestly say that it has changed mine as well. Through its extensive training and through my experiences on the live platform, I have learned how to be more patient and understanding of people. I have learned how to ask more questions and delve into the root of an issue without making any preconceived judgments.

As Nancy Lublin put it, crisis counselors are “Empathy MVPs”. The whole basis of our training is to become empathetic people who not only sympathize with the texter, but also try to understand their situation on a deeper level and then provide them with supportive guidance that allows them to relax and see a clear and potential solution in their own minds.

Crisis Text Line has been an excellent learning experience. With every shift, I learn some new that I can apply to my next texter. I have met a wonderful community of people, who all just want to make someone out there happy. At the end of the day, I would recommend this organization to anyone out there who knows what it is like to need someone to talk to (which yes, is everyone).