Hi Friend, 

I’ve been a volunteer crisis counselor at The Trevor Project for five years, but I still remember my first few volunteer shifts vividly.

When Sam* called, they were in a panic — their college’s health center was closed, and they didn’t know where to turn. They told me that they were confused about their sexual orientation, their school community was unaccepting, and that they were anxious about their grades and struggling financially due to tuition costs. They told me that everything was adding up, that it was their last straw, and that they were seriously considering suicide.

I stayed in the moment with Sam, listening and guiding the conversation with empathy and an open heart. There is so much power in just sitting with a person to listen and be there for them when no one else can. As we talked, I could hear the frustration in Sam’s voice subside and turn to calm.  

I saw a lot of myself in Sam’s story. It was incredibly humbling and grounding to arrive at a place in my own journey where I could provide support to someone like Sam. Being able to make a difference for LGBTQ young people like Sam is the exact reason why I chose to become a volunteer at The Trevor Project.

Every day we answer calls from LGBTQ youth who have reached a crisis point and have nowhere else to turn — that’s why your donation is so important today, Friend. 

Even though it was one of my first counselor shifts, I helped Sam survive that day. Make a donation today to help The Trevor Project support LGBTQ young people just like Sam.

We are so grateful to donors like you for your continued support, 

Thank you,  

Connor
he/him
Volunteer with The Trevor Project
 

*name changed to maintain confidentiality