Frequently Asked Questions
How do I create a Volunteer Profile?
If this is your first time volunteering through a Get Connected website, follow these simple steps to create your account:
1. In the upper-right corner of the page, click Sign Up.
2. Enter your information
3. Check your email inbox for a verification code. Copy the code from the email and paste it into the verification box on the website. Click Verify Email.
If you need assistance at any point, contact your local volunteer connections contact.
Who is my local contact?
Sioux Empire
- Isabella Oliver | Volunteer Connections Manager | sfvol@helplinecenter.org | (605) 274-8794
- Meradith Harris | Youth Volunteer Specialist | salsa@helplinecenter.org | (605) 274-1409
Black Hills
- Brad Keizer | Black Hills Program Coordinator | bhvol@helplinecenter.org | (605) 274-1429
Brookings
- Brynn Olverson | Brookings Area United Way | brynn@brookingsunitedway.org | (605) 692-4979
Yankton
- Jesse Bailey | United Way & Volunteer Services of Greater Yankton | jesse.b@yanktonunitedway.org | (605) 665-6766
What is the Helpline Center?
The mission of the Helpline Center is making lives better by giving support, offering hope, and creating connections all day, every day. We fulfill our mission through the following core service areas:
211 Helpline
988 Lifeline
Volunteer Connections
Suicide Grief Support
The Helpline Center began serving South Dakota in 1974. Over the years, the agency formalized from roles held by volunteers to hiring staff. We grew to offering support 24 hours a day, and we were the first location west of the Mississippi River to begin 211 service in 2001. The Helpline Center serves thousands of people every year by connecting individuals to resources and support, providing referrals, building community volunteers, offering hope to individuals with thoughts of suicide and supporting families bereaved by suicide loss. We support over 100,000 people each year. The Helpline Center is the only entity in the state accredited by the Alliance for Information and Referral Systems and the only organization in the state that provides a certified crisis line through the American Association of Suicidology.
What is Volunteer Connections?
Helpline Center’s Volunteer Connections program is the critical link between great community volunteers and the nonprofit agencies that need them. Volunteer Connections serves as the volunteer center in the Sioux Empire, Brookings, and Black Hills regions of South Dakota. In addition to providing and maintaining a database list of hundreds of volunteer opportunities, Volunteer Connections also provides resources and information to non-profit organizations and businesses.
The Helpline Center is an affiliate of the Points of Light Global Network, which includes volunteer-mobilizing organizations located in nearly 40 countries around the world. Together we are inspiring, equipping and mobilizing more people to use their time, talent, voice and resources to create positive change in their communities. To learn more about the Points of Light Global Network, visit www.pointsoflight.org/global-network.
Why would I register as a volunteer with this site?
When you register with this site, you create a volunteer account. This account allows you to connect with local non-profit organizations about volunteer opportunities. You can also track your volunteer hours and create a volunteer resume.
Can anyone post volunteer opportunities on this site?
All agencies that list opportunities with the Helpline Center warrant that they are legally incorporated nonprofits or government entities, schools or faith-based organizations. The Helpline Center reserves the right to refuse any agencies whose volunteer programs' missions and purposes it finds contrary to the spirit of volunteerism. See the Partner Agency Terms and Conditions here.
Do I join the Helpline Center to volunteer and use this site?
When you register with this site, you are not becoming a member of the Helpline Center, nor are you registering to volunteer at/with/through the Helpline Center. We are a referral-only service, connecting you with other organizations in our community. You will need to work directly with those organizations to become their volunteer and get started serving.
Does it cost me anything to use this site?
No. This site is supported by the Sioux Empire United Way, Brookings Area United Way, Black Hills United Way, United Way & Volunteer Services of Greater Yankton, and John T. Vucurevich Foundation. It does not cost volunteers or partner agencies anything to use it.
I am already registered as a volunteer on this site but can't get logged in. Help!
Please email vol@helplinecenter.org for support.
How old do I have to be to use this site?
To register with this site, users must be 13 years of age or older.
I had an account in the old Helpline Center volunteer database. Is that gone?
No! Your information has been transferred into this database and a new account has been set up for you based on that information.
Do I need an email to use this site?
Yes. To use this site either as a volunteer or as an agency recruiting volunteers, an email address is required.
What if I don't have an email account or access to a computer?
Dial 2-1-1 and ask to talk with a Volunteer Connections staff person about options.
Need more assistance? Check out the Get Connected knowledge center for more support
