April 25, 2008

Volunteers for the Crisis Clinic of the Peninsulas were honored this week for their service to the community. Five individuals – Marge Thorne, Michael Klinger, Pat Pavlicek, Lisa Iaroslavtsev, and Elizabeth Wagner – have maintained a regular schedule of volunteer hours at the Crisis Clinic and serve as mentors and supporters of 5-6 other volunteers in their role as Small-Group Leaders with the Crisis Clinic. Their commitment to keeping the crisis line open 24 hours a day is invaluable.

Long time volunteers Lucy Konizeski of Bremerton and Marge Thorne of Silverdale received special mention as founding members of the Crisis Clinic forty three years ago this year. “Marge has been my conscience when making hard decisions, and Lucy has given me inspiration,” stated Kelly Schwab, Program Supervisor for the Crisis Clinic. “They bring heart and soul to the work as do all our volunteers.” Lucy Konizeski and Marge Thorne have been recognized previously by the American Association of Suicidology as among the longest-serving crisis clinic volunteers in the nation.

The Crisis Clinic of the Peninsulas is the third oldest crisis clinic in the United States, second only to Seattle and San Francisco. Today the Crisis Clinic serves not only Kitsap County, but Clallam and Jefferson Counties as well, responding to over 16,000 calls for assistance last year. The Clinic maintains its operations due to the commitment of 26 trained volunteers who each work a four-hour shift, one day each week. For information about volunteering and the upcoming training scheduled for May 6^th, contact Kelly Schwab at the Crisis Clinic.

The Crisis Clinic can be reached 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 360-479-3033 or 1-800-843-4793. The Crisis Clinic of the Peninsulas is managed by Kitsap Mental Health Services, a comprehensive mental health agency offering a continuum of service to those affected by mental illnesses and their families. For additional information about programs and services contact Kitsap Mental Health Services at 360-415-5801.

Joe Roszak, Executive Director of Kitsap Mental Health Services, thanks Marge Thorne and Lucy Konizeski for their long time work with the Crisis Clinic.