Volunteers sought to take calls on youth helpline HAZLET - The 2nd Floor youth helpline, a program of 180 Turning Lives Around, is seeking reliable, energetic and open-minded individuals interested in becoming trained volunteers to offer careful guidance and help adolescents in the community. Spring 2007 volunteer recruitment training will begin on April 23 and will be held at 633 Palmer Ave. in the West Keansburg section of Hazlet. Training will involve 40 hours of combined classroom sessions and "on the job" shadowing in order to learn from staff. Classroom learning will consist of seven three-hour sessions to be conducted twice a week. Interested volunteers must be 18 years of age or older to apply. In addition, volunteers are required to commit to two call shifts per month and may customize their schedule to fit their needs. Volunteers will also assist with the program's community outreach efforts. 2nd Floor is a toll-free, anonymous helpline staffed by licensed professionals and trained listeners who encourage discussion and provide comfort, guidance and direction to youths who have a myriad of day-to-day concerns, according to a press release. The helpline, in its third year of operation, serves as a safe haven for youths to turn to when they are faced with life's difficult choices. The 2nd Floor program receives approximately 1,200 calls per month and tackles youth inquiries ranging from peer relationships, family difficulties and substance abuse issues to thoughts of suicide. For more information and to register for volunteer recruitment training, call (732) 787-6503 or log on to www.2ndfloor.org to submit a volunteer application. The 2nd Floor youth helpline, a program of 180 Turning Lives Around Inc., is the only toll-free helpline in Monmouth County dedicated to broad youth issues. The toll-free helpline, (888) 222-2228, operates from 9 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week and is staffed by trained professionals and volunteers who provide an understanding, nonjudgmental and caring response to callers. 2nd Floor does not provide psychotherapy/professional counseling, or access to assistance in a medical or other emergency. Parents should continue to instruct their children to call 911 or their local police in medical or other emergencies.