Formation | 1968 |
---|---|
Type | Private, non-profit organization |
Headquarters | Miami, Florida, U.S. |
CEO | Catherine Penrod |
Website | SwitchboardMiami.org |
Switchboard of Miami, Inc., commonly referred to as Switchboard, was a private, nonprofit and registered 501(c)(3) organization located in Miami, Florida, United States that provided Miami-Dade County with comprehensive telephone counseling and referral services to thousands of social service programs beginning in 1968. The organization also offered counseling services and prevention programs, such as initiatives aimed at assisting high-risk youth and their families through partnerships with local schools. Since 1968, these services have been offered to the community at no charge. Callers can seek advice confidentially, as no information is needed by the company in order to receive the services. Switchboard shut down in 2016 following a "major financial emergency". [1]
The organization maintained a HELPline Services Department that was certified by the American Association of Suicidology, [2] licensed by the Florida Department of Children and Families and accredited by the Alliance of Information and Referral Systems. [3]
Switchboard partnered with other organizations to receive additional funding and pool resources, including the United Way of Miami, [4] Miami-Dade County and The Children's Trust. Switchboard answered the 2-1-1 hotline in Miami, which is funded by The Children's Trust [5] to help children and families seek information on issues related to school, substance use disorders, domestic violence, teen pregnancy and more. Switchboard was also one of many partners working with the United Way through Operation Helping Hands [6] to provide aid for earthquake victims in Haiti and Chile.
The organization was involved in many campaigns throughout Miami, working with other community partners on projects such as attracting Creole-speaking volunteers [7] that can answer calls made by those who would like to know more about the disaster in Haiti and those who were directly affected by the disaster.
Every year more than 168,000 people called the HELPline, which was accessed at (305) 358-HELP (4357). Services offered by Switchboard were available in English, Spanish and Creole, making it the only trilingual call center in the United States. The call center acted as the backup for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline for the entire United States in Spanish and for the Southeastern United States in English. [8]
In addition to the 2-1-1 hotline and the 358-HELP line, the organization maintained other service hotlines [9] designed to target specific needs in the community.
Switchboard earned exposure on many news outlets in Miami including television stations such as WFOR 4, [11] WTVJ 6 [12] and WPLG 10, [13] as well as printed media such as The Miami Herald [14] and the Miami New Times. [15] This press coverage often leads to stronger partnerships, such as the Care Force initiative created by WPLG 10, which connected philanthropic individuals in the community to stories they would see in a segment during WPLG's news broadcasts. The partnership allowed viewers to access a helpline answered by Switchboard, providing help in order to fill the needs of those featured in the segment.
In 1968, Switchboard of Miami began as a hotline created by three volunteers to help connect college students to resources that would assist them in finding affordable housing options in Miami-Dade County. Soon after, as the Republican National Convention was taking place in Miami during the time, city officials reached out to the volunteers to ask for their help in maintaining order. The Vietnam War was part of the public agenda, and millions of residents were furious about how it affected their lives. The volunteers agreed to help, and were soon inundated with calls regarding issues far more complex than housing troubles.
Shortly thereafter, the volunteers incorporated to become Switchboard of Miami, Inc. and expanded their hotline services, clinical services and assistance to the community. A full company timeline can be found below. [16]
Switchboard of Miami's vision was "to be the premier organization that provides and connects people with the human services they need."
The mission statement read "Switchboard of Miami connects all people in need with community resources, provides counseling and empowers individuals 24/7 with just one call."
Formation | 1968 |
---|---|
Type | Private, non-profit organization |
Headquarters | Miami, Florida, U.S. |
CEO | Catherine Penrod |
Website | SwitchboardMiami.org |
Switchboard of Miami, Inc., commonly referred to as Switchboard, was a private, nonprofit and registered 501(c)(3) organization located in Miami, Florida, United States that provided Miami-Dade County with comprehensive telephone counseling and referral services to thousands of social service programs beginning in 1968. The organization also offered counseling services and prevention programs, such as initiatives aimed at assisting high-risk youth and their families through partnerships with local schools. Since 1968, these services have been offered to the community at no charge. Callers can seek advice confidentially, as no information is needed by the company in order to receive the services. Switchboard shut down in 2016 following a "major financial emergency". [1]
The organization maintained a HELPline Services Department that was certified by the American Association of Suicidology, [2] licensed by the Florida Department of Children and Families and accredited by the Alliance of Information and Referral Systems. [3]
Switchboard partnered with other organizations to receive additional funding and pool resources, including the United Way of Miami, [4] Miami-Dade County and The Children's Trust. Switchboard answered the 2-1-1 hotline in Miami, which is funded by The Children's Trust [5] to help children and families seek information on issues related to school, substance use disorders, domestic violence, teen pregnancy and more. Switchboard was also one of many partners working with the United Way through Operation Helping Hands [6] to provide aid for earthquake victims in Haiti and Chile.
The organization was involved in many campaigns throughout Miami, working with other community partners on projects such as attracting Creole-speaking volunteers [7] that can answer calls made by those who would like to know more about the disaster in Haiti and those who were directly affected by the disaster.
Every year more than 168,000 people called the HELPline, which was accessed at (305) 358-HELP (4357). Services offered by Switchboard were available in English, Spanish and Creole, making it the only trilingual call center in the United States. The call center acted as the backup for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline for the entire United States in Spanish and for the Southeastern United States in English. [8]
In addition to the 2-1-1 hotline and the 358-HELP line, the organization maintained other service hotlines [9] designed to target specific needs in the community.
Switchboard earned exposure on many news outlets in Miami including television stations such as WFOR 4, [11] WTVJ 6 [12] and WPLG 10, [13] as well as printed media such as The Miami Herald [14] and the Miami New Times. [15] This press coverage often leads to stronger partnerships, such as the Care Force initiative created by WPLG 10, which connected philanthropic individuals in the community to stories they would see in a segment during WPLG's news broadcasts. The partnership allowed viewers to access a helpline answered by Switchboard, providing help in order to fill the needs of those featured in the segment.
In 1968, Switchboard of Miami began as a hotline created by three volunteers to help connect college students to resources that would assist them in finding affordable housing options in Miami-Dade County. Soon after, as the Republican National Convention was taking place in Miami during the time, city officials reached out to the volunteers to ask for their help in maintaining order. The Vietnam War was part of the public agenda, and millions of residents were furious about how it affected their lives. The volunteers agreed to help, and were soon inundated with calls regarding issues far more complex than housing troubles.
Shortly thereafter, the volunteers incorporated to become Switchboard of Miami, Inc. and expanded their hotline services, clinical services and assistance to the community. A full company timeline can be found below. [16]
Switchboard of Miami's vision was "to be the premier organization that provides and connects people with the human services they need."
The mission statement read "Switchboard of Miami connects all people in need with community resources, provides counseling and empowers individuals 24/7 with just one call."