CONTACT Altoona Mission for Quality of Life and Assistance

CONTACT Altoona Mission Statement

CONTACT Altoona is a person-centered telephone helpline whose mission is to respond to the needs of callers by active, reflective listening and, when appropriate, to make referrals to needed services. Our goal is to enhance personal independence and quality of life.

CONTACT Altoona Philosophy

It is our philosophy that most people have within themselves the resources to solve their own problems. By listening in a reflective way, we help people to sort out their concerns and make decisions about their own lives.

We believe that each person has the right to make decisions affecting the direction and quality of his/her life, and has the right to live according to those decisions. Our intent is to relate to each other and to our callers in ways which give honor to individual choices and maintains integrity.

Our task is to be centered enough within ourselves so that we are able to enter the world of our callers, and fully experience their feelings and personal meanings to such an extent that we let go of our need to evaluate or change them.

CONTACT volunteers maintain confidentiality, anonymity and a non-judgmental attitude in dealing with callers.