NEW GLASGOW – The Pictou County Help Line is getting little help in finding a new home.
The local service, which takes 6,000 calls a year, has been granted an extension by its landlord to stay in its current location until September, but then it must find a new place to do business.
“We are in a crisis of our own,” said Arlis MacCallum, executive director of the Pictou County Help Line. “We are still holding out hope but nothing new has come through yet.”
The Pictou County Help Line takes 'listening-ear' calls, crisis intervention calls and gives referrals for community groups such as Ropes and Fishes, St. Vincent de Paul, Pictou West Food Bank and the Pictou Fuel Fund.
MacCallum said the Help Line operates on a tight budget with a third of its funding from the United Way of Pictou County. Other funding comes from The Pictou County Council of Churches, service clubs, private donations and fundraising. It was formed by the council of churches 28 years ago to take calls from the county's unemployed residents.
MacCallum said without the Help Line, many people wouldn't know who to call during a crisis in their lives. She said 2,000 calls made to the Help Line last year were listening-ear calls from people who needed to speak with someone to help get them through their day.
Since its budget is small, it can’t afford to rent the space it needs so it is hoping a Pictou County business would have two small offices available it could use free of charge.
Its new location also has to be anonymous so volunteers can work safely in their environment. Volunteers must also be able to access the site between its operating hours of 2 p.m. and 10 p.m., seven days a week.
MacCallum said anyone with suitable office space is encouraged to contact her at 755-5790.
