Bristol Crisis Center seeking director, volunteers

The Crisis Center of Bristol is seeking a new executive director and volunteers as it looks to expand services in the community.

Located in Bristol, Virginia, the Crisis Center is a nonprofit agency which provides resources for clients dealing with sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking, abuse, neglect and suicide. The organization operates hotlines to help those in need.

"We're shoring up our alliances and establishing new things that I'm really excited about," Interim Director Lynn Darnell said.

Darnell, who replaces former director Stephanie Poe, who recently left the center, has been reaching out to local partners in recent weeks to further develop alliances, she said.

The center's board of directors is in the process of seeking a new director and is redoing the job description, Darnell said.

"I'm sure it will be someone who must be really compassionate, because we deal with people who need a lot of compassion," Darnell said. "Emotions can be hard to deal with."

The center also recently received a large federal grant, Darnell said, which will be used to further develop the organization's sexual assault programs. New paid employees are in the works thanks to the grant.

Darnell, who for the last two years has been on the center's board of directors, said a new volunteer coordinator has also been developed.

"We desperately need some volunteers," Darnell said. "We need all of the help we can get."

The organization's hotlines receive about 15,000 calls a year and are currently manned by about eight volunteers and staff members. Darnell said she hopes to have about 20 volunteers at the center.

Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer should contact the office at 276-466-2218 or visit the Oakview Avenue location. Volunteers must fill out an application and be interviewed.

"You don't want someone to come in who has their own stresses," Darnell said. "If everything is OK, we have pretty detailed training."

The center does not conduct clinical work but can provide resources and referrals for those needing assistance.

Darnell said the center's Just Checking program will also soon be expanded. Currently, staff and volunteers check on elderly individuals in the community on a daily basis.

"We check on them every day and see if they are OK," Darnell said. "We also provide them with a Thanksgiving meal and a Christmas present."

The center currently checks on about 60 people.

Darnell said individuals of all ages who need to be checked on will soon be added to the list.

On June 24, Black Wolf Harley-Davidson in Bristol will be hosting a charity ride for the Crisis Center. Pre-registration for the event will end on June 3.

The center's 24/7 crisis hotline can be reached at 276-466-2312. The National Suicide Hotline can be reached at 1-800-273-8255.