What is FirstLink – FirstLink

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Community Services At Your Finger Tips

What Is FirstLink?

FirstLink is a free, confidential service available to anyone 24/7/365 for listening and support, referrals to resources/help, and crisis intervention. FirstLink answers the 211 helpline, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, and communicates via the text line 898-211. FirstLink provides these services across the entire state of North Dakota and parts of Minnesota. Dial 2-1-1 or text your zipcode to 898-211 from anywhere in our service area for confidential help and support.

FirstLink offers the Care and Support Program, a program that receives referrals from hospitals and clinics across North Dakota as well as the 211 Helpline and the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. The program offers informational resources and coping strategies, encourages mental health treatment, and provides non-judgmental listening and support. Calls are offered weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly and work around your schedule.

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Board of Directors

Christine Club

Thomas Tweten

Hollie McLean

Kyle Veum

Dave Lund

Dean Haaland

Elizabeth Medd

Kristi Clifton

Blaise Kautzman

Sarah Aaberg

1967

Volunteer Community Service began.

1968

Volunteers for Community Services incorporated.

1970

HotLine incorporated. Volunteer operated from 7 pm-1 am each day.

1973

First organized Holiday Clearing Bureau effort.

1976

First collaborative effort with the American Legion Toy Project and the Holiday Clearing Bureau.

1981

HotLine, Inc. became a 24-hour program following the merger of the Suicide Prevention Line previously answered at St. Lukes Hospital (now Sanford) and Southeast Human Service Center.

1983

Volunteers for Community Service and HotLine, Inc. merged – became HotLine Community Services.

1984

HotLine Community Services merged with United Way of Cass-Clay and became Community Resource Division.

1987

Became accredited through American Association of Suicidology (AAS).

1990

HotLine accepted responsibility for the YWCA Phone Friend telephone warm line.

1991

United Way’s Community Resources Division became a nonprofit subsidiary of United Way of Cass-Clay and became Community Resources, Inc.

1993

Community Resources, Inc. was reorganized and a full-time director was hired.

1994

Community Resources, Inc. discontinued its partnership in the Coats For Kids program (October)

1995

United Way of Cass-Clay and Community Resources, Inc. dissolved their parent/subsidiary relationship (January). Community Resources, Inc. became its own free-standing nonprofit organization.

1996

Began Suicide Education Outreach in local schools

1997

The Volunteer Center initiated the Nonprofit Board Development Training (January)

1998

Community Resources, Inc. changed its name to FirstLink and reorganized.

2005

Director of Volunteer Center was hired and Disaster Volunteer Coordination is re-established. Community Emergency Response TEAM (CERT) training is established under the Volunteer Center. FirstLink moves to 13th Avenue, in Fargo.

2006

Holiday Clearing Bureau changed its name to Season of Hope and partnered with The Salvation Army to distribute holiday gifts and food baskets.

2007

FirstLink began providing 2-1-1 service for Cass County, ND and Clay County, MN. Received the Crisis Center Award for Community Engagement from the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL). Began offering LivingWorks Education’s Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) workshop.

2009

FirstLink received accreditation from the Alliance of Information and Referral Systems (AIRS). The first Teen CERT class was held at West Fargo High School. Experienced Parent Project was no longer a project at FirstLink.

2010

FirstLink received the 2-1-1 designation for all of North Dakota. CERT/Teen CERT was given to Cass County/NDSU Emergency Management. Partnered with the RedHawks and began Volunteer Appreciation Night. Created the Community Volunteer Workshop. The holiday gift-giving program was renamed Giving Tree of Hope.

2012

FirstLink receives certification as a Child Abduction Response Team (CART) member. Began an Ongoing Suicide Follow-up Program funded by the North Dakota Department of Health.

2013

FirstLink’s Giving Tree of Hope program partnered with Toys for Tots to provide holiday gifts to those in Cass County, ND and Clay County, MN.

2014

FirstLink expanded the Giving Tree of Hope program, becoming the local Toys for Tots coordinator. Began offering Mental Health First Aid USA training. The Volunteer Center became the Volunteer Network.

2015

FirstLink receives re-accreditation through Alliance of Information and Referral Services (AIRS). Began offering LivingWorks Education’s safeTALK alertness workshop. Began offering Youth Mental Health First Aid USA. Handled the millionth call.

2018

Added a Community Navigator program to connect those struggling with addiction to resources. We began offering texting for our 211 line.

2019

FirstLink’s Statewide Suicide Follow-up Call Team received the Partnership Building Award from the North Dakota Association of Nonprofits, recognizing community leadership.

2020

FirstLink celebrated its 50th anniversary! Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our celebrations looked much different than we had planned, and unfortunately, we were not able to hold our Giving Tree of Hope/Toys for Tots event.