WESTFIELD, N.J. - s4story -- Caring Contact is proud to announce it has received a $25,000 grant from the C Northrop Pond and Alethea Marder Pond Foundation to support its Mental Health Crisis Intervention & Support program. The grant strengthens Caring Contact's capacity to respond to folks experiencing emotional distress and mental health crises through the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

This funding supports Caring Contact's longstanding mission to save lives by offering compassionate, nonjudgmental listening to people at their most vulnerable moments. As demand for crisis services continues to rise, the grant enables Caring Contact to expand staffing, reduce missed calls, and maintain the high quality of care Callers depend on.

"For many people, making the call to 988 is a moment of courage," said Mary Claire Givelber, Executive Director of Caring Contact. "This grant helps ensure that when someone reaches out, a trained, caring person is there to answer. We are grateful to the Pond Foundation for this meaningful investment in lifesaving work."

Addressing a Growing Mental Health Need

Caring Contact expects to answer 16,000–17,000 crisis calls through the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in 2026, up from 15,200 calls answered in 2025. Calls originate mainly from seven New Jersey counties—Middlesex, Morris, Union, Essex, Passaic, Somerset, and Bergen—reflecting the organization's regional impact.

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In addition to 988 crisis services, Caring Contact continues to operate its 50‑year‑old warm line, answering almost 10,000 non‑emergency calls in 2025, from individuals seeking emotional support for loneliness, grief, anxiety, and stress.

Crisis call centers serve as a critical first line of defense against suicide. Caring Contact works closely with New Jersey's 988 network and Mobile Crisis Outreach Teams (MCORT) to help callers de‑escalate, remain safe, and access additional supports when needed. In 2025, emergency services were engaged in fewer than 1% of crisis calls, demonstrating the effectiveness of skilled listening in crisis intervention.

Expanding Capacity Through Targeted Improvements

The Mental Health Crisis Intervention & Support initiative funded by the Pond Foundation focuses on operational and staffing enhancements designed to ensure that at least 75% of incoming 988 calls are answered, with a goal of reaching 80%.

Key components include:

• Maintaining a corps of 100+ trained volunteer Listeners through two annual training classes
• Increasing volunteer commitments and transitioning to longer shifts to reduce coverage gaps
• Hiring 3–5 experienced part‑time crisis counselors to cover historically understaffed hours
• Ensuring at least four Listeners per shift, including evenings and weekends

Paid part‑time staff currently answer more than half of all crisis calls. Targeted hiring allows Caring Contact to maintain consistent coverage during peak demand while preserving the volunteer‑driven model that has defined the organization for five decades.

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The Power of Being Heard

At the heart of Caring Contact's work is the belief that feeling truly heard can save lives. Callers regularly share how meaningful it is to speak with someone who listens without judgment:

"I didn't have much hope for calling, but you mirrored back exactly how I felt. I felt validated—and I'm so glad I reached out," explained a recent Caller.

About Caring Contact

Founded in 1975, Caring Contact provides free, confidential emotional phone support to individuals experiencing crisis or emotional distress. A New Jersey 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline center since 2005, Caring Contact answers tens of thousands of crisis and warm line calls each year, offering compassionate listening, de‑escalation, and connection to resources. Learn more at https://caringcontact.org/.

About the C Northrop Pond and Alethea Marder Pond Foundation

The C Northrop Pond and Alethea Marder Pond Foundation supports nonprofit organizations that strengthen communities and improve quality of life through thoughtful, targeted grantmaking.