The mission of BerksTALKLINE is to provide free confidential, non-judgmental, high quality listening services to individuals who need to talk with someone.

Description:
Staff provide listening services, referral information and crisis intervention as needed to callers,11 a.m.-11 pm. seven days a week except for holidays. The organization serves the entire Berks County community.

Volunteers are integral as board members; marketing committee members; as grant researchers; in all areas of public relations; as public speakers; as liasions to school districts and in assisting with distribution of literature.

History:
BerksTALKLINE, a tax exempt, non-profit organization,was founded in 1990 first as a line for children. In 1998 an additional line for Adults was also added. We now operate a telephone hotline 11 a.m.-11 p.m. daily, found at 610-374-8255 or 800-472-8255... addressing a variety of needs (suicide, abuse, neglect, drug and alcohol usage, violence, social, emotional and family concerns as well as isolation and loneliness).

TALKLINE provides callers with prevention orientated strategies that enables individuals to deal more effectively with the behavior of others, respond in a manner that enhances their own self esteem and assists them in developing strategies for avoiding or preventing potentially destructive situations. TALKLINE also is a source of referrals to individuals, evenings and weekends when other sources of assistance are usually not in operation.

All on line workers receive 40 hours of intensive training addressing conflict resolution techniques, listening and communication skills, knowledge specific to addictions, abuse, sexuality and suicide, senior issues, as well as an awareness of all local agencies used as referral sources. Approximately 100 individuals volunteer their time and expertise to plan marketing, publicity, fund raising and assist with volunteer recruitment.

The organizational structure of BerksTALKLINE consists of a Board of Directors and Trustees, representing various aspects of local business and community sectors. An Executive Director and Supervisor are the two full time positions with the agency. A Community Liaison works part-time out in the community helping to be sure agencies and their clients are aware of the services. Six part-time supervisors, and nine part-time phone line workers are the other current staff positions.

Key to the success of BerksTALKLINE is our ability to increase community awareness of the organization and its services and provide specific information to the targeted populations. Our goal is to substantially increase BerksTALKLINE recognition factor among adults and children through increased marketing efforts and to specifically put BerksTALKLINE phone numbers at their fingertips.

Contact person: Sandra Eshelman, Executive Director, 610-921-9820, (email)
Office fax number: 610-939-8576

Address:

P O Box 13234 Reading, PA 19612

Web Site: http://www.berks-talkline.org

Directions:

Administrative office is located on Route 61 in Muhlenberg Township. Location of phone line operation is confidential.   Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: None   Nearest Bus Stop: None