When Amy Pascal’s sister Jenny began working as a training director for Teen Line, the Sony exec was intrigued. The org runs a telephone, text and email help-line service for adolescents in crisis, and the counselors comprise only teen volunteers. After 13 weeks of intensive training, the volunteers go on to aid others through a confidential peer-to-peer hotline, helping thousands of kids annually. Teen Line, founded in 1980, also participates in outreach, which includes sending volunteers into schools to talk about issues such as sexuality and drug abuse. In addition, it publishes a resource guide, “The Youth Yellow Pages,” pamphlets and message boards on its website.
“Of course I wanted to help support an organization that was so important to my sister,” Pascal says. “But the more I found out about the important work that Teen Line does — saving lives of the most vulnerable teenagers every day — the more I felt compelled to do what I could.”
Four years after Pascal’s sister got her interested, Teen Line plans to honor both of them at the org’s fundraising luncheon in May. Pascal says she’s an active donor to the charity and participates in their annual fundraisers.
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“When you are an organization like Teen Line, awareness and visibility is critical, and I am proud to do anything I can,” she says. “If through the Power of Women event even one person becomes aware of and involved in their important work, I will be grateful.”
TEEN LINE
Nonprofit operated by teens for teens. Teen Line runs crisis hotlines and message boards, plus community outreach (teenlineonline.org).
