In today’s fast-paced, frenetic world, too often teenagers feel they are lost in the mix, perhaps bullied in school, feeling they have a problem that no one understands and nowhere to turn.
Fortunately for the last three years, a program called 2NDFLOOR Youth Helpline has been a one-stop, all encompassing helpline for youth throughout New Jersey. Young people ages 10-24 can call anytime and discuss their problems and concerns with trained helpline staff. All calls are confidential and anonymous, and no topic is off limits. Each month, nearly 10,000 calls are handled by the 2NDFLOOR staff, and topics range from teen dating and family violence to peer pressure, bullying and sexuality.
Last week, 180 Turning Lives Around, the New Jersey nonprofit organization that runs the 2NDFLOOR Youth Helpline program, and Verizon announced the statewide helpline will become available in Spanish thanks to a $60,000 grant from HopeLine®, Verizon and the Verizon Foundation.
“Our goal is to provide Latino children and teens with the opportunity to discuss their problems and concerns with staff who speak their language and fully understand their cultural background,” said Anna Diaz-White, Executive Director of 180 Turning Lives Around, Inc. “Communicating in your native language makes the difference between feeling left out and feeling understood, but also allows the development of a culturally-relevant plan that would resolve problems or concerns. We are grateful that Verizon is so generous and provided us with the needed funds to expand our program to the Latino community.”
Kim Guadagno, New Jersey’s lieutenant governor, addressed students, faculty and the media at Union City High School, where the announcement was made.
“Regardless of where you live or what your native tongue is, young people today are subject to cyber-bullying and other pressures that were unheard of a generation ago. A bilingual helpline will allow young people who do not speak English, or those who prefer to speak in Spanish, to find support and comfort no matter what their problems are,” said Guadagno.
Through its Hopeline program, Verizon collects used cell phones to be recycled or sold and donates the proceeds in the form of cash grants and pre-paid wireless phones to advocacy groups for use by survivors. Verizon was the first wireless carrier in the nation to collect and recycle old cell phones, and has done so on behalf of survivors of domestic violence since January 1999 – first in New York and then across the U.S.
“We know that many young people struggle with various issues growing up, regardless of their cultural background,” said Pat Devlin, president of the New York Metro Region for Verizon Wireless. “Verizon is proud to support the Spanish helpline that 2NDFLOOR is introducing in New Jersey. It will not only surmount the barriers of communication for many, but we’re certain that it will also bring a lot of positive change throughout our communities.”
