Crisis hotline needs your help

A local crisis hotline can't help people without your help. COPE, which offers emotional support and crisis intervention to callers in need, is planning a volunteer drive for the fall.

Cecile Duhnke, Associate Director of COPE joined the CBS 58 News live at 4. She says COPE fields about 22,000 calls a year. \"There is a huge need for our service out here, and we depend on volunteers,\"  Duhnke said.

Rob Dittmer, who started out as a volunteer at COPE, but later joined their staff, described volunteering as very rewarding. \"To talk with people who are in emotional distress, it's like taking a walk with their soul,\" he said.

COPE will hold their first volunteer drive Sept.26 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.  COPE staff and experts will train volunteers on reflective listening, mental illness, suicide prevention and crisis intervention skills. Interested people should contact Cecilia Duhnke at 262-377-1477 or [email protected] to schedule an interview.