Education Transforming Community Health (ETCH) is currently recruiting volunteers for the upcoming year! If you are interested in joining, please email etchseattle@gmail.com with your completed volunteer survey (https://www.etchseattle.org/getting-involved.html) expressing your interest.

Here is a little more information about ETCH:

• They are an interdisciplinary student project associated with SHIFA, a non-profit organization based out of UWSOM.

• They offer weekly health education sessions to homeless adults in downtown Seattle. Through their community partnerships, they strive to create health education curriculum that bridges evidence-based practice and the voices of the many homeless communities in Seattle. They aim to provide knowledge, skills, and tools to improve the quality of life of their participants.

• Weekly sessions offer volunteers a great opportunity to connect with members of homeless communities while expanding their knowledge of preventative care, health systems, and social justice.

• They ask that volunteers participate in at least one session per month for at least six months – though if you’re interested in being more involved they also have more opportunities for volunteering, leadership, and advocacy.

If you have any other questions, please direct them to etchseattle@gmail.com

Crisis Text Line provides free, 24/7, nationwide support via text message to people in in pain struggling with depression, addiction, suicidal thoughts, bullying, anxiety, sexual assault, eating disorders, abuse, isolation, and other issues that affect mental health. They are powered by over 4,200 Crisis Counselors around the country.

After completing 30 hours of online training, Crisis Counselors are prepared to support texters in going from a hot moment to a cool calm. The training and work that Crisis Counselors do in supporting texters provides an opportunity to engage in hands-on, impactful work, which will support students in developing empathy and skills in active listening and crisis management – important skills regardless of career path.

An added bonus: the structure of Crisis Text Line’s volunteer program allows for Crisis Counselors to volunteer when it’s convenient for them. Crisis Counselors set their own schedule, and volunteer from anywhere with stable internet connection.

Here is more information on the program and how to apply.