Kristie has been a volunteer advocate for Tri-Valley Haven for the past 12 years! We are proud and honored to have her on our team. Let's hear from Kristie!
"I am a policy and PR professional and currently serve on the Livermore School Board. I have been a volunteer on the Tri-Valley Haven crisis line since 2011.
In the late 90s, I worked for a national domestic violence policy organization and learned of Tri-Valley Haven and the important work it does on the ground. I knew I wanted to be a volunteer someday. It took many years for my work and family life to get to a point where I could dedicate the time to be a trained advocate, but I’m so happy to call myself part of the Tri-Valley Haven family.
I staff the overnight crisis hotline one night a week, taking calls from people in crisis or in need of shelter, counseling, or information about domestic violence and sexual assault.
The staff and volunteers at Tri-Valley Haven are the most dedicated people you can meet. It’s truly an honor and privilege to be part of this team. Most of all, being a trained volunteer makes you feel empowered in your own life because you encounter people in very challenging situations and see first-hand how the right support can make a big difference.
After 12 years on the crisis line, it still surprises me how just being on the phone when someone is in need can make a difference. Almost all of the calls I get are from adults, so I was surprised to answer the phone one night and hear a young voice. It was a high school student who had been given the number earlier that day when a Tri-Valley Haven advocate visited his class. He didn’t know where to go for help with his situation and felt desperate. After our conversation, his voice had lightened significantly, and he said he felt he would be okay and knew he could call us back whenever he needed to. After a call like this, I’m always grateful that Tri-Valley Haven is here to serve all the members of our community."
