Stories from the Helpline
Filed by: Guest Blogger
August 31, 2008 3:00 PM
http://www.bilerico.com/2008/08/stories_from_the_helpline_1.phpEditor's Note: "Stories from the Helpline" is a recurring feature on The Bilerico Project, bringing in the personal accounts of Helpline counselors from The Trevor Project. The Trevor Project is a non-profit organization that operates the only nationwide, around-the-clock crisis and suicide prevention helpline for LGBTQ youth. This installment comes Michael Vacha Jr. is the west coast call center manager at The Trevor Project and a graduate of the University of Southern California (USC). He is also a volunteer Helpline counselor at The Randy Stone West Coast Call Center in Los Angeles.
MichaelVachaJR_Headshot.jpgEvery day, my e-mail inbox is flooded with letters from young people. They're crying out for help: they're alone, hopeless, and questioning their sexuality. They turn to "Dear Trevor" and The Trevor Helpline because they don't have anyone else. From my point of view, even as a social worker, it seems so implausible that nobody in their lives has ever said, "it's okay, you're not a freak, and you're not alone." So many of these young people are heartbroken; unsupported by their loved ones. However, so many of these young people are also incredibly brave in the face of abandonment.
