<html><head></head><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space; ">volunteers needed for 2-1-1 - see below:<br>
<div><br><div>Begin forwarded message:</div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"><blockquote type="cite"><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px;"><span style="font-family:'Helvetica'; font-size:medium; color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 1);"><b>Date: </b></span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica'; font-size:medium;">June 5, 2011 11:26:58 PM EDT</span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px;"><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Calibri"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br></span></font></div><div dir="ltr" bgcolor="#ffffff" text="#000000"><div dir="ltr"><div style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial'; COLOR: #000000; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><div style="FONT-STYLE: normal; DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000; FONT-SIZE: small; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; TEXT-DECORATION: none"><div class="moz-signature"><div class="moz-signature">
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<div><font color="#000000">For Immediate
Release
6/3/11
<br>Contact: Fran Spadafora Manzella, Call Center
Manager 273-3010, ext
242 <br><a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:fmanzella@hsctc.org" moz-do-not-send="true">fmanzella@hsctc.org</a><br><br>2-1-1 Tompkins Seeks Good
Listeners<br><br>Ithaca, NY<br><br>WANTED: Listeners and
Helpers<br><br>QUALIFICATIONS: The ability to listen, participate in
training and use a computer<br><br>COMPENSATION: Satisfaction of knowing
you’ve helped someone<br><br>DETAILS: Call 211 or 1-877-211-8776<br><br>As
a 2-1-1 volunteer Information & Referral (I&R) Specialist, you’ll learn
how to use a database of hundreds of local, regional, state-wide and national
organizations to help connect callers with not-for-profit, education and
governmental agencies in Tompkins County and beyond. Volunteers not only answer
phone inquiries, they also respond to internet chat, email and walk-in requests
for assistance.<br><br>“Our volunteers come from many different backgrounds and
age groups,” said Fran Spadafora Manzella, 2-1-1 Tompkins’ Call Center
Manager. “Each volunteer brings his or her own knowledge and skills and,
along with the 2-1-1- Tompkins database, after assessing the individual’s needs,
finds agencies and organizations that can help.”<br><br>“A typical day could
have a call specialist providing referrals to food pantries, sources of low-cost
health insurance or programs for children with special needs, she
continued. Training includes active listening techniques, problem solving,
and dealing with challenging calls, as well as instruction and practice in using
the 2-1-1 Tompkins database.<br><br>“We ask volunteer call specialists to commit
to at least one four-hour shift per week for six months,” Ms. Manzella
noted. ”Potential I&R Specialists need excellent verbal and
written communication skills, basic computer skills, the willingness to learn
the computerized database and interest in learning about Tompkins County’s human
services network.”<br><br>You can download a volunteer application at
<a href="http://211tompkins.org">211tompkins.org</a>. (click on Volunteer at 211 Tompkins), or contact Fran Spadafora
Manzella, 2-1-1 Call Center Manager, 607-273-3010, ext 242, e-mail <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:fmanzella@hsctc.org" moz-do-not-send="true">fmanzella@hsctc.org</a> . 2-1-1 Tompkins is a program of
the Human Services Coalition of Tompkins
County.<br><br>-end-</font></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><br class="webkit-block-placeholder"></div>
-- <br></blockquote><br><blockquote type="cite">
Talking Circles on Race and Racism are a program of the Multicultural Resource Center: <a href="http://www.multicultural-resource.org/">http://www.multicultural-resource.org</a><br>
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