Kim Barraclough
Northern News Services

NNSL (May 12/99) - The Western Arctic Help Line and HIV/AIDS Info Line celebrated its sixth anniversary May 1.

The organization offers confidential support and information to those who require it. There are currently about 18 volunteers fielding calls from those in need.

Becoming a volunteer for the help and info line requires hard work and dedication. The volunteers are required to complete upwards of 40 hours of training in order to start answering the phone.

The 40 hours of training involve talks about spousal assault, suicide intervention, HIV and AIDS, crisis intervention and many more vital topics.

Once the volunteers are fully trained, they are required to commit to answering the phone for three shifts a month. A shift is from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. The volunteers must also agree they will volunteer for an entire year.

According to Gail Gaudon, senior support worker for the help and info line, the volunteers field an average of about 80 to 100 calls a month.

"They're excellent -- I've got a great bunch of volunteers," said Gaudon.

"They are a major part of the service -- they make it happen," she added.

Overall, Gaudon is impressed with the program. She has been working part-time for the help and info line for the last three years.

Gaudon is especially proud of the volunteers who generally keep a low profile because the help line is confidential.

The help and info line is funded by a grant from Health and Social Services. They also receive funding from the Canadian Mental Health Association and other various community donations.

The number for the help line in Yellowknife is 920-2121 and the number for the Western Arctic line is 1-800-661-0844.

The Western Arctic toll-free number serves 32 different communities. The volunteers have information about the community on hand and are able to give out referrals to clients who call in. The volunteers also have referral information for those callers in Yellowknife.