When Someone Reaches Out, We Answer
At any hour of the day or night, someone in our community reaches for a phone with shaking hands.
They may be reliving a sexual assault.
They may have just experienced sexual assault.
They may be carrying pain that has lived in their bodies for years – or generations.
They may be telling their story out loud for the very first time.
Each month, the Sendero Crisis Line answers 70-90 calls from individuals impacted by sexual assault and historical trauma. Behind every call is a survivor searching for safety, for belief, for someone who will listen without judgment and say, “You’re not alone.”
A Voice in the Dark
For many callers, Sendero is the first place they feel heard. We meet survivors in moments of fear, grief, anger and disbelief. Some calls are quiet and tearful, others are filled with urgency. All of them require compassion, patience and deep care.
Our conversations can last minutes or an hour, but the impact lasts far longer. One supportive voice can interrupt isolation, restore dignity, and help someone take their next step toward healing.
Powered by Volunteers, Guided by Heart
Sendero is a volunteer-based crisis line, sustained by people who give their time, energy, and emotional presence to others. Our volunteers are extensively trained in trauma-informed care, crisis response, and cultural safety so they can hold space for survivors with skill and respect.
They listen without rushing.
They believe without questioning.
They stay when the story is hard to hear.
Practicum Students: Learning Through Compassion
Alongside our volunteers are practicum students completing hundreds of supervised hours on the crisis line. These emerging professionals bring empathy, dedication, and a deep desire to serve. Through their work at Sendero, they learn what it truly means to support survivors- meeting people not as cases, but as human beings deserving of care and dignity.
Their presence allows us to answer more calls, offer more follow-up support, and invest in the future of trauma-informed helping professions.
A Strong Team Behind Every Call
No one does this work alone. Our trained support team provides supervision, guidance, and care for those who care for others. This ensures that every survivor receives consistent, high-quality support – and that our volunteers and students are held, supported and sustained in this emotionally demanding work.
Why Your Support Matters
Sexual assault and historical trauma do not disappear when a call ends – but the way someone is met in that moment can change everything.
Funding allows Sendero to:
Your donation helps ensure that when someone finally finds the courage to call, there is a trained, compassionate voice on the other end of the line.
Together, We Hold the Line
Healing begins with being heard.
Hope begins with being believed.
The Challenge
Our greatest challenge is sustaining a program that our community urgently needs. Nearly 30% of the calls we receive come from children and young people, and there is no other specialized program like ours in the region. Without sufficient resources, we risk being unable to continue providing this essential service, leaving vulnerable individuals without support.
Call to Action
We are calling on our community to help ensure this program continues. You can support us by making a monetary donation, organizing third-party fundraising efforts, or volunteering your time. We provide full training, and volunteering is remote, flexible, and deeply rewarding.
With your generosity, Sendero Crisis Line can continue to stand with survivors in their most vulnerable moments- offering safety, compassion, and the reassurance that they are not alone.
Thank you for being part of the circle of care.
-Patricia Arango, executive director, Sendero Centre
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EDITOR’S NOTE: The views expressed above are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of rdnewsNOW or Pattison Media. Column/op-ed suggestions and letters to the editor can be sent to news@rdnewsNOW.com.
