VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

It was the ability to empower people and help them make positive changes in their lives that drove Dawn Hornburg to begin volunteering with CAPSEA 20 years ago, and it’s what still motivates her today. “Knowing that I can make such a big difference in someone’s life inspires me to pick up the hotline phone every time.” 

Each month CAPSEA’s 24/7 Emergency Hotline receives hundreds of calls, and it’s thanks to dedicated, trained volunteers like Dawn that CAPSEA is able to provide each caller with the support and guidance that they need. “I believe that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity, love, respect, and kindness.”

While many things have changed since she started volunteering in the late 90s, the organization’s dedication to its core mission and to the people of Elk and Cameron County remains the same. 

“The staff is an inspiring group. Despite the demands of their positions, they approach their jobs with joy and happiness. There is no doubt that the people here are devoted to what they do. CAPSEA has a very structured, organized system and offers great support to their volunteers. I feel like I’m a part of a team.” 

Hotline counselors like Dawn must go through 80 hours of training to be equipped to talk to callers and to help them quickly determine the best and safest course of action depending on their unique situation and needs. CAPSEA offers support to a wide range of people, including those who have witnessed or experienced violent crimes, those in dangerous domestic abuse situations, and those suffering from homelessness. 

“The one-time training helped me prepare for the variety of callers that I may interact with in a given week. It taught me how to offer the best support to those who have found themselves in hard times or in dangerous situations. The initial time commitment was more than worth it for the rewarding, life-changing experiences that I have had while volunteering at CAPSEA.”