This article was inspired by Lines for Life’s 2024 Annual Report. To read more about our work in 2024, download the full report here.
What happens when passionate community members combine forces with cutting-edge technology to save lives? At Lines for Life, this powerful partnership between dedicated adult volunteers and artificial intelligence innovation is revolutionizing how crisis support reaches people who need it most.
The results are remarkable: trained volunteers now work alongside staff members daily, delivering compassionate, high-quality support while AI technology enhances training and ensures every interaction meets the highest standards.
Rebuilding from the Ground Up
Volunteer call counselors have always been part of Lines for Life’s foundation. When circumstances forced the temporary suspension of the volunteer program, the organization faced a choice: accept the loss or rebuild stronger than before.
Lines for Life chose transformation. Through dedicated effort from team members and expanded clinical supervision, the adult volunteer program has flourished into something more robust and impactful than ever before. Today, 70 active volunteers work side-by-side with staff, bringing diverse perspectives and unwavering commitment to crisis response.
These volunteers represent the heart of community-based mental health support. They arrive each day ready to provide the human connection that makes the difference between despair and hope.
When Professional Advocacy Meets Personal Service
Chae Jemina (named changed for anonymity) exemplifies the powerful combination of professional expertise and personal dedication that defines Lines for Life volunteers. As a community organizer for a local advocacy nonprofit, Chae has spent her career passing and implementing legislation to expand addiction services and social supports throughout Oregon.
After dedicating professional energy to increasing access to treatment services, Chae became a Lines for Life volunteer to work more closely with the people using the services she helped create. This direct connection between policy and practice creates a unique perspective that enriches every conversation.
“People talk to others about what’s important to them,” Chae explains. “That’s what we all should be doing to maintain connections with each other. But it especially helps when it comes to suicide prevention and mental health.”
Chae’s approach demonstrates the power of authentic human connection in crisis support. Her passion for talking to people on a real level and making meaningful connections reflects the qualities that make volunteer support so effective.
The Transformational Impact of Service
Lines for Life creates transformation for both the people who call crisis lines and the people who answer them. Chae came to the organization hoping to increase her capacity to support others, but discovered the work expanded her own ability to navigate life’s challenges.
This dual benefit represents one of the most powerful aspects of volunteer service. When Chae feels down, they volunteer. “It helps me feel better,” she says, illustrating how service creates resilience and connection for volunteers themselves.
Her experience reflects a fundamental truth: helping others often helps us find strength, purpose, and perspective in our own lives. This creates a sustainable cycle of support that benefits entire communities.
Revolutionary AI Integration for Enhanced Training
While human connection remains at the center of crisis response, Lines for Life has embraced artificial intelligence as a transformational tool for training and quality improvement. This innovative approach sets new standards for crisis line operations nationwide.
Traditional call centers monitor approximately 3% of calls monthly for quality assurance. Lines for Life has revolutionized this process by training AI to evaluate every single call, every single day, based on criteria that matter most for effective crisis response.
The AI system listens for crucial elements like “depth of empathy” and “open-ended questions” that characterize successful crisis calls. This comprehensive approach ensures consistent quality while providing continuous learning opportunities for volunteers and staff.
“Artificial intelligence won’t be client-facing,” explains Clinical Chief Greg Borders, “but it can be transformational as a tool for training and improving the quality of our work in reaching people.”
Meet the AI Training Partners
Innovation extends beyond call monitoring into hands-on training through AI simulations. Finley and Dylan represent the next generation of crisis response training — AI characters with complete backgrounds, biographies, feelings, and experiences.
Role-play training has always been essential for developing crisis response skills, but traditional approaches using colleagues can feel artificial and limiting. Finley and Dylan solve this challenge by providing realistic, emotionally authentic training scenarios.
Finley, from Eastern Oregon, might present with job-related disappointment leading to suicidal thoughts. Dylan, from Salem, brings different challenges and perspectives. Call counselors engage with these AI-generated emotions during simulated crisis calls, gaining experience with diverse situations and responses.
The simulation program continues expanding. Sim Eva supports YouthLine training, while specialized simulations prepare responders for election-related stress and tribal community support. Each addition reflects Lines for Life’s commitment to culturally responsive, comprehensive crisis training.
Leading National Innovation
Lines for Life’s groundbreaking work with AI training simulations has captured national attention. Call centers across the country are reaching out to learn from this innovative approach, positioning Lines for Life as a leader in crisis response technology.
“We are doing path-breaking work thanks to our partner Reflex AI,” says CEO Dwight Holton. “Call centers all over the nation are reaching out because they want to follow our lead.”
This recognition reflects more than technological achievement. It demonstrates how thoughtful innovation can enhance rather than replace human connection in crisis support.
The Future of Crisis Response
Lines for Life’s integration of passionate volunteers and advanced AI technology creates a model for effective, scalable crisis response. Volunteers bring irreplaceable human empathy, lived experience, and community connection. AI provides comprehensive training support, quality assurance, and continuous improvement opportunities.
Together, these elements ensure that every person reaching out for help receives the highest quality support from someone equipped with both heart and skills. This combination of human compassion and technological innovation represents the future of crisis response—one where technology amplifies rather than replaces the power of human connection.
For those interested in joining this meaningful work, Lines for Life’s volunteer program offers comprehensive training, ongoing support, and the opportunity to make a genuine difference in people’s lives. Every volunteer brings unique perspectives and experiences that strengthen the entire program.
In a world where technology often distances us from one another, Lines for Life demonstrates how thoughtful innovation can deepen human connection and improve our ability to support those who need it most.