Many of the community’s greatest assets are also its unsung heroes. The work that goes on behind the scenes often goes unnoticed, but its impact is immeasurable. Such is the case with Fargo/Moorhead’s FirstLink, a nonprofit human service agency that coordinates volunteer efforts across the Red River Valley. FirstLink’s mission is to assist people in identifying, accessing, and making effective use of community and volunteer resources. When something needs to be done or a crisis situation hits, it is FirstLink that springs into action to assist. When someone needs assistance, they are there, often with little fanfare. 

As FirstLink’s Director of Information and Crisis Services, Stacie Loegering wears many hats. Not only does she lead the team that answers the 24-hour helplines and suicide prevention services, she also ensures that FirstLink maintains two accreditations (American Association of Suicidology and Alliance of Information and Referral Systems). In addition, Loegering maintains relationships with other agencies around the Red River Valley, ensuring that FirstLink is meeting the needs of their clients after hours. “We collaborate with hundreds of organizations,” Loegering said, “so another part of my job is to attend coalition meetings, develop and maintain working relationships, and devise plans to meet the needs of community members.”

The helplines are a large part of FirstLink’s dedication to suicide prevention and crisis management. Many people call 2-1-1 to learn what resources might be helpful for them. “It is very rewarding to hear the relief in their voices when they learn that there are resources available to them and that others are there to support them” Loegering explained. “It is very rewarding to know that FirstLink is always available to someone.”

According to Loegering, FirstLink answered nearly 40,000 calls each of the past two years, an average of more than 3,000 per month. “This year we are on track to answer over 44,000 calls,” Loegering said. “That means on average we have answered over 3,700 calls each month this year.” In addition, FirstLink’s Call Specialists handle over one hundred calls a month related to suicide and over five hundred fifty calls related to mental health. “During each of these calls the Call Specialist is assessing the caller’s situation and ability to keep themselves safe,” Loegering explained. Many of these callers have little resources and often nowhere to turn – except for FirstLink.

24 Hour Crisis Management Hotline:

FirstLink’s suicide prevention and crisis management assistance began in 1971 with the incorporation of the program’s HotLine, at that time staffed from 7:00pm to 1:00am daily.

In 1981, HotLine, Inc. became a 24-hour program following the merger of the Suicide Prevention Line previously answered at St. Lukes Hospital (now Sanford) and Southeast Human Service Center.

In 2007 FirstLink began providing 2-1-1 service for calls that originate in Cass County, ND and Clay County, MN, obtaining statewide designation in 2010. The following year, FirstLink began to refer to the 24-hour 2-1-1 service (formerly HotLine) as the FirstLink 2-1-1 Helpline.

Holiday Clearing Bureau:

In 1974, the Holiday Clearing Bureau coordinated the first Cass-Clay community holiday giving program. Since then, FirstLink has coordinated the collection and distribution of holiday gifts for disadvantaged children and special needs adults in Cass and Clay counties. In 2006, the Holiday Clearing Bureau changed its name to Season of Hope and partnered with The Salvation Army to distribute holiday gifts and food baskets. Last year, First Link distributed approximately 4,500 gifts to children and special needs adults within 1,300 families.

Member of the Child Abduction Response Team (CART):

In 2012, FirstLink received certification as a Child Abduction Response Team (CART) member. Recently CART ran a mock child abduction scenario to ensure that all partners had the opportunity to practice the tasks they would likely do in a situation if CART was activated. “Since FirstLink has the strengths of answering crisis calls, the CART organizers asked FirstLink to be part of the team,” Loegering explained. “FirstLink supports the Emergency Operations Center by answering the CART tip line and communicating information to the investigation team.”

Volunteer Center:

The FirstLink Volunteer Center provides easy access to a wide range of volunteer opportunities at nonprofit organizations and local government agencies serving the entire community. They link people who want to help – individuals, families, students, businesses and their employees, civic, community, and faith-based organizations – with places or issues where their time, talents and interests can be utilized effectively.

FirstLink is also contracted by the Cities of Fargo, Moorhead, and West Fargo, and the Counties of Cass and Clay to coordinate volunteers in a disaster. In the recent 2009 Flood, FirstLink ran a call center that answered approximately 55,000 calls and coordinated over 100,000 volunteers in Cass and Clay Counties. According to Independentsector.org, one dollar of volunteer time in North Dakota is worth $17.49. In Minnesota, that value rises to $21.62.

Challenges:

Like many non-profit organizations, FirstLink faces a number of challenges. “Each year we work hard to fundraise the necessary dollars to maintain our quality services,” Loegering explained. “In addition, it is a challenge to educate community members regarding what services we offer.” Loegering would like people of the Red River Valley to know that help is always available. “FirstLink is available 24/7 for anyone who needs resources or emotional support,” she said. “Our mission is to link people to resources; we specialize in volunteerism and suicide prevention.”

For people like Loegering and the entire staff at FirstLink, the lack of fanfare and credit that may accompany their jobs is of little concern. They do what they do because there is a need for their services – plain and simple. “The most rewarding part of my job is knowing that I am making a difference,” Loegering explained. “At times I know that I have saved a life.”

Anyone in need of resource information or listening support can dial 2-1-1 or 701-235-SEEK (7335). Those in need of suicide prevention services can dial 1-800-273-TALK (8255). A full explanation of services offered by FirstLink can be obtained at www.myfirstlink.org.