CONTACT Lancaster HelpLine History

1972   The Lancaster County Council of Churches , in responding to the needs of area ministers, established a part-time helpline called, "Will-Do Night Ministry".

The helpline originally operated seven days a week from, 6:00PM until 2:00AM at the Lancaster Seminary, College Avenue, Lancaster, PA.  When the phone company published the location of the ministry, it had to be moved to the pastor's office at Grace Lutheran Church, North Queen Street, Lancaster, PA.
This telephone continued to ring during the daytime.  Responding to this need, the Lancaster County Council of Churches decided to begin a 24-hour operation.

Sept. 1975 - The LCCC decided to affiliate with CONTACT USA, a nationwide network of help lines with roots in the Methodist Church.  Since affiliating with CONTACT USA, the name was changed to "CONTACT Lancaster" and 24-hour telephone coverage began.

Twenty-four hour coverage has continued without interruption (other than mechanical) since that time.  As of 2001, 120 adults and teens volunteer. Several have logged more than 3,000 hours on the phone.

1978 - Encounter Program began in response to a need noted by telephone volunteers.  Encounter was an established program for those individuals who need face-to-face contact and support from a special friend.

1979 - Deaf CONTACT line was established for the speech and hearing impaired.  Initially this line was run on a part-time basis in the evenings.  As the need dictated, it became a 24-hour line within its first year of operation.

Dec. 1985 - Kids-Line was established in response to the need for resources for "latch-key" children.

Feb. 1986 - CONTACT Lancaster was awarded the Governor's Keystone Award of Excellence, one of only 35 volunteer-based organizations state-wide to receive this award.  (Over 2000 groups applied for this honor.)

Feb. 1988 - CONTACT Teen Line was opened for area teenagers.  This line was originally staffed by trained teen volunteers from 4:00PM until 10:00PM on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.  The line is answered at all other times by adult volunteers.  Now teens can schedule themselves anytime except overnight.

Au 1993 - Reassurance CONTACT was established whereby regularly scheduled calls are made to elderly, handicapped or homebound people who have limited contact with the outside world.

Oct 1995 - The official name of the organization was changed to "CONTACT Lancaster Helpline".

1997 - CONTACT Lancaster Helpline went online at http://contactlancaster.org .

2001 - CONTACT Lancaster Helpline became part of the Kristin Brooks HOPELINE Network.

2003 - CONTACT Lancaster Helpline found itself independent of The Lancaster County Council of Churches and responsible for it's own funding.

2004 - CONTACT Lancaster Helpline became affiliated with Community Action Program of Lancaster County as one of CAP's community programs.

2005 - CONTACT Lancaster Helpline became an accredited member of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

2005 - More than 100 adults and teens volunteer for the CONTACT Lancaster Helpline organization.  Some volunteers have accumulated more than 4,000 hours of service.

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