posted
Just a quick update about a change starting at Scarleteen, for those who use our direct services.
With both our message boards and text service, we have told our users for many years now that they can expect a reply within 24 hours, though most have usually gotten replies far more quickly than that, sometimes even within minutes.
We're needing to make an adjustment to that timetable. Starting today, users of our direct services should be prepared for a window of waiting as long as potentially 48 hours, (but more realistically, a few hours rather than within minutes).
Over the last year, we've been more short-handed with volunteers than usual. A couple of our core volunteers have been winding up working more hours than volunteers should be expected to work. Per usual, our very modest budget also does not allow us to hire additional staff. Being shorthanded here is often especially typical during the summer months. Alas, that also happens to be the time of year when we have the most users in need, a pretty unfortunate coincidence!
I (our executive director and most frequent provider of our direct service, especially at the message boards) am also... well, let's just be real: I'm getting older, y'all. So, that thing where 28-year-old me could work 14-hour days for many, many days on end and rarely get burnt out or feel like she got run over by a truck? 41-year-old me is not having that perky experience. 41-year-old me is gasping for air, and saying things like, "Shut the front door!" about it, an embarrassing turn of phrase for 41-year-old anyone to be saying at all, so you can see the kind of effect this has been having on me.
Lastly, there's this marvelous thing we advise all of you about in all we do you may know as your life. Some of our volunteers, and myself, are missing that marvelous thing ourselves, and to do our best by you as well as by ourselves, we all need a little more time to have a life, too.
We don't know of other services of the depth like our and which manage the volume we do which typically provide personal replies and in-depth, moderated discussion in less time than 48 hours, or you can be sure we'd give you some links as alternatives, should you need help more quickly. Instead, as we'll usually suggest for users in a real jam, even when we are available, your best bet is often going to be to try and connect with someone in person -- if you have a health concern, some kind of healthcare provider is always the ideal, if your personal safety is at risk or you have already been harmed, your local police -- or try a hotline like one of the following:
In the US: National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN): 800-656-HOPE The Trevor Project (for LGBTQ youth): 866-488-7386 The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255 Planned Parenthood:800-230-PLAN National Abortion Federation: 877-257-0012
We really appreciate your patience as we continue to grow and learn (as we always are) how to keep everything, and everyone who is part of everything, running our best around here. Cheers!
-------------------- Heather Corinna, Executive Director & Founder, Scarleteen About Me • Get our book! Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. - Margaret Mead Posts: 63418 | From: An island near Seattle | Registered: May 2000
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posted
Just bumping this up as a reminder for folks.
So, as a follow-up, if you make a post that has not been answered within 48 hours -- two days -- feel free to bump it. But if it's been less time than that and you are waiting for an answer, please wait patiently.
Realistically, our users are still being answered far more quickly than that, but if your expectation is that every post will get answered in hours or even minutes, please adjust it. Thanks!
-------------------- Heather Corinna, Executive Director & Founder, Scarleteen About Me • Get our book! Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. - Margaret Mead Posts: 63418 | From: An island near Seattle | Registered: May 2000
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