HelpLine Hosts Successful Open House at New Location

We had an incredible time welcoming more than 125 guests to our new location during the HelpLine Open House! It was a joy to share this milestone with our community and showcase the space designed to support connection, healing, and growth.

A special thank you to Richwood Coffee for keeping everyone caffeinated and to For His Glory Photography for beautifully capturing the spirit of the day. We’re also grateful to the Delaware Gazette for their thoughtful coverage of the event.

Read the full article here.

Celebrating our ribbon cutting from left to right: Commissioner Jeff Benton, Holly Quaine, Brandon Feller, Deanna Brant, Dr. Tonia Pace, Sue Hanson, Jane Martin, Paul Brake, and Commissioner Gary Merrell.

HelpLine Celebrates Pride and Juneteenth

The histories of Juneteenth and Pride are deeply connected—both commemorate the ongoing resistance against the oppression of marginalized communities and reflect the enduring commitment to agency, liberation, and building a more just and equitable future.

At HelpLine, we are proud to honor these histories not only in principle but through meaningful community engagement. Our staff recently participated in the Delaware Pride Festival on Saturday, June 7, at Boardman Arts Park. We are also planning to take part in the upcoming Delaware Juneteenth Celebration at Blue Limestone Park on Saturday, June 14, from Noon to 4 p.m.

We’re excited to be part of both events, which affirm our core value of "Respecting and Reflecting All." Click here to learn more about the history of Pride and Juneteenth and how many key leaders in the civil rights movement also championed LGBTQIA+ rights.

Meet HelpLine Board Member - Mitchell Briant

Mitchell Briant joined the HelpLine Board of Directors in 2024. He is the Executive Director of Dublin Youth Athletics. He resides in Sunbury with his wife Erica of 17 years and their two children, Elaina (14) and Merrick (11).

What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received? I had a supervisor at my first job tell me to never come to her with a problem unless I also came with a possible solution. This allowed me the autonomy to make professional decisions without always relying on someone to give me the answer.

Who was your favorite superhero and/or cartoon as a child, and why?

My favorite superhero as a kid is a toss-up between Batman and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. I was a huge fan of the Batmobile and loved the teamwork between the turtles. Not to mention that they have the same love for pizza as I do!

What is your guilty pleasure? Chocolate!!!

Any pet peeves? I struggle with

people who immediately go to the negative without thinking of the potential positives in a situation. I also cannot stand the sound of people chewing.

What are your thoughts on inclusion and diversity? It is imperative that we embrace inclusion and diversity in everything we do. This allows us the opportunity to hear other perspectives and learn something new.

What activities/sports were you involved with in high school, college? I didn’t play sports in high school, but I did play trumpet in our marching band, jazz band, and concert band. I was also the lead singer in our high school jazz combo.

How would others describe you? Others have described me as empathetic, thoughtful, caring, a leader, and a great listener.

Click here to Read More about Mitchell!

Professional Development and Training

Not a Friend or Family: Maintaining Effective Boundaries in the Helpline Professions - Ethical and Practical Considerations

Presented by Connections Volunteer Center, a Community Program of HelpLine

Date: Thursday, September 18, 2025

In-Person Presentation: 9 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. 3 available CEU's, $45.00

For training descriptions, learning objectives, and costs, please visit the Connections Volunteer Center training page. All continuing education through Connections Volunteer Center are approved through the Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists Board of Ohio.

QPR Gatekeeper Suicide Prevention Trainings (Online via Zoom)

All sessions are free and open to the public:

Session #1

Date: Wednesday, August 13, 2025

Webinar Time: 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Session #2 Date: Tuesday, November 18

Webinar Time: 6 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.

*Please note that social work/counselor CEUs are not available for QPR

To sign up or for more information, contact the Suicide Prevention Program Department at suicideprevention@helplinedelmor.org

Spotlight on HelpLine Staff

Staff Attends AAS Annual Conference

Gabbie Schilling (left), Jessica Cimino (center), and Bridget Robinson (right) attended the American Association of Suicidology (AAS) annual conference in Columbus last month. AAS's mission is to empower all toward resilient lives, inspiring hope, and preventing suicide through the advancement of suicidology - the study of suicide and life-threatening behaviors.

Corie Bix, Marketing Generalist, graduated from Leadership Delaware sponsored by the Delaware Area Chamber of Commerce. Leadership Delaware County is designed to identify, nurture, and promote future leaders in Delaware County. Participants engage in a nine-month program designed to increase their community leadership skills.

Sages and Seekers is an intergenerational program that pairs high school students (Seekers) with Sages (Adults 55+). The intergenerational program strives to develop empathy and diminish ageism through in-person conversations. Older adult volunteers, or Sages, are matched one-on-one with high school or college-aged students, known as Seekers. Older adults benefit from this relationship by sharing their wisdom, memories, reexamining their life events, providing mentorship and a non-biased listening ear while increasing their connection to the community. Youth learn valuable life skills including empathy, interviewing, listening, writing, and public speaking. At the end of the program, the Sage is presented with a tribute written by their Seeker. The Sages & Seekers curriculum was purchased through a grant from the Delaware County Commissioners and has been funded by SourcePoint since 2020. Are you an adult 55+ interested in volunteering for this innovative program? If so, email Elaine Miller at emiller@helplinedelmor.org to learn more about the upcoming fall 2025 session.