The San Francisco Suicide Prevention Center
Marnelli “Nelli” Del Castillo has volunteered her time to several organizations she holds dear. Nelli tells us “While some people are naturally outgoing, I am quite shy and have a hard time meeting new people. Volunteering gives me the opportunity to practice and develop my social skills, since I am meeting regularly with a group of people with common interests.”
What first began as a requirement for graduation, turned to a fulfilling and regular experience Nelli continues to value. The SF Suicide Prevention Center provides emotional support, education, assistance and intervention as necessary to all persons in crisis and those impacted by them, with the goal of reducing suicides and self-destructive behaviors. Nelli has focused her volunteer efforts assisting with the suicide prevention hotline, providing emotional support to help empower callers to look at options and make well informed decisions. Nelli explains “volunteering with charities has been a chance of lifetime and helped me gain life-saving skills that can be used anywhere and anytime.”