Caring Contact

What Caring Contact does

Caring Contact is a Westfield, New Jersey-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1975 (originally as Contact We Care) that operates a volunteer-staffed caring and crisis hotline serving central and northern New Jersey. The organization provides 24/7 coverage through the federal 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, where it serves as the primary responder for north-central New Jersey and a backup center for the Veterans Crisis Line, alongside its own Caring and Crisis Line at (908) 232-2880 staffed by approximately 100 trained volunteers. Each volunteer completes 54 hours of classroom instruction and 24 hours of supervised listening internship, including Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) certification through Living Works, enabling the organization to respond to more than 15,000 calls per year with a reported 76% of callers feeling better after their call.

The organization's core technology stack is conventional telephone-based crisis line infrastructure with web-based donation and volunteer application systems; no proprietary software platform or AI capabilities are disclosed. The product portfolio extends beyond direct hotline service into a suite of training programs: a 10-week Volunteer Listener Training ($299/participant), Suicide Awareness and Intervention Training ($500/group session), state-mandated Learning to Prevent Teenage Suicide training ($500/group), free Hotline Awareness sessions, and ASIST certification courses. Since January 2018, Caring Contact has trained more than 4,400 students, first responders, educators, and community members through these programs.

Caring Contact generates revenue through four streams: individual donations (cash, tribute, stock, planned giving), foundation and corporate grants (Summit Foundation, Northfield Bank Foundation, Hyde & Watson Foundation, plus corporate sponsorships from Goldman Sachs, UBS, JPMorgan Chase, Global Atlantic Financial, and Atlantic Health), training program fees, and employer matching gifts. The go-to-market model is community-led, relying on a 60+ partner network across schools, healthcare systems, faith communities, first responder agencies, and corporations, combined with earned media, social media outreach, and tabling events. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors and led by Executive Director Mary Claire Givelber, with Development Director Lucinda Mercer and Director of Community Engagement Michelle Habayeb. It holds Charity Navigator four-star rating, Candid/GuideStar Seal of Transparency, and accreditation from The International Council for Helplines.

Name

Caring Contact

Legal name

Caring Contact

Website

https://caringcontact.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1975

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Caring Contact is a volunteer-staffed 501(c)(3) crisis hotline and listening community based in Westfield, NJ, providing 24/7 emotional support through the 988 Lifeline and a local crisis line for central and northern New Jersey residents.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Crisis Hotline and Suicide Prevention Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Mental Health & Crisis Support Services (BPAGACAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Behavioral Health Crisis Services Management (988/Hotlines/Mobile Crisis Coordination) (HLAEAHAK)

Keywords

• Crisis hotline services
• Suicide prevention training
• Emotional support listening
• Mental health education
• Volunteer listener training

Headquarters

HQ city

Westfield

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Caring Contact relies heavily on donations from individuals and organizations. Options include cash gifts, tribute gifts (in honor or memory of individuals), donor-advised funds, stock donations, and planned giving/bequests.
2. Foundation and Corporate Grants: The organization receives grants from foundations including Summit Foundation ($14,000-$15,000), Northfield Bank Foundation ($10,000-$15,000), Hyde & Watson Foundation, and others. Also receives corporate sponsorships from businesses like Goldman Sachs, UBS, Global Atlantic Financial, and Atlantic Health.
3. Training Program Fees: Revenue generated from training programs including Volunteer Listener Training ($299), Teen Suicide Awareness and Intervention Training ($500 per group session), and Suicide Awareness & Intervention Training ($500 per 2-hour group session). Hotline Awareness training is provided free of charge.
4. Employer Matching Gifts: Matching gift program where employers match employee donations, potentially doubling the impact of gifts. 84% of donors indicate they're most likely to donate if a match is offered.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Caring Contact is an award-winning, volunteer-staffed caring and crisis hotline providing free emotional support and crisis intervention via telephone (988 Lifeline and local Caring and Crisis Line). The organization also offers a portfolio of paid and free community training programs covering suicide intervention, teen suicide prevention, volunteer listener training, and hotline awareness for schools, first responders, faith communities, and corporations.

Product overview

Caring Contact is an award-winning, volunteer-staffed caring and crisis hotline and listening community based in Westfield, New Jersey. The organization operates two core telephone-based services: the Caring and Crisis Line ((908) 232-2880) available during extended hours based on volunteer availability, and the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline providing 24/7 nationwide coverage. Complementing these direct services is a comprehensive suite of community training programs including Volunteer Listener Training (a 10-week crisis counselor program with ASIST certification), Suicide Awareness and Intervention Training, Learning to Prevent Teenage Suicide (state-mandated compliance training), Hotline Awareness Training, and ASIST certification courses. All programs are grounded in evidence-based practices including LivingWorks' Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Caring and Crisis Line A telephone-based emotional support and crisis intervention service available at (908) 232-2880, operating Monday–Friday 9am–10pm and Saturday–Sunday 10am–6pm based on volunteer availability. Trained volunteer listeners provide active, empathetic listening and non-judgmental support to callers experiencing emotional distress, depression, anxiety, or suicidal thoughts. Free and confidential.
• 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline A 24/7 national crisis hotline accessible by dialing 988, part of the SAMHSA-funded network. Caring Contact serves as the primary responder for north-central New Jersey and a backup center for the Veterans Crisis Line within the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline network. Free and confidential.
• Volunteer Listener Training A comprehensive 10-week crisis counselor training program (current cohort Class #108) consisting of in-person and remote sessions meeting 6:30pm–9:30pm, plus Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) on weekends. Training includes 54 hours of classroom instruction and 24 hours of supervised internship. Cost is $299 per participant. Designed for individuals who wish to become volunteer hotline listeners.
• Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) An internationally acclaimed two-day interactive training program in suicide first-aid, listed on the National Suicide Prevention Registry of Evidence-Based Programs. Designed for police officers, EMTs, teachers, school administrators, social workers, counselors, clergy, and community members to provide hands-on skills to intervene in suicide situations. Delivered by Caring Contact trainers who are nationally certified through Living Works.
• Suicide Awareness and Intervention Training A 2-hour group training session (cost: $500 per group, no minimum/maximum participants) designed to enhance skills and confidence to intervene with individuals having thoughts of suicide. Covers risk factor identification, protective factors, asking directly about suicide, active listening, and accessing emergency resources. Taught by a certified Master Trainer in Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training and Mental Health First Aid. Sponsorship opportunities available for organizations needing financial assistance.
• Learning to Prevent Teenage Suicide Training A training program designed for teachers, administrators, counselors, community groups, and clergy. Meets the N.J.S.A. 18A:6-111 statutory requirement for suicide training for public school teaching staff. Cost is $500 per group session. Targeted at middle and high schools in New Jersey.
• Hotline Awareness Training

Quantifiable outcome

• 76% of callers report feeling at least a bit better after their call.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Atlantic Health/Overlook Medical CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAtlantic Health is a sponsor of the 50th Anniversary Celebration and a community organization partner. Overlook Medical Center Community Advisory Board supports the organization.
• Caldwell UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership established in 2012 to host a listening hub at the university. Relationship continues to this day.
• Rutgers University (formerly Scarlet Listeners)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSecond listening hub established in 2007 through affiliation with Rutgers University Scarlet Listeners. Hub is no longer in service.
• 988 Suicide and Crisis LifelinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCaring Contact is the primary responder for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline in north-central New Jersey and a backup center for the Veterans Crisis Line.
• SAMHSAcoreOthersPartnered with SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) in planning for the new 3-digit Lifeline code.
• Living WorkscoreTechnology or IntegrationProvider of ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training). Caring Contact trainers are nationally certified through Living Works programs.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• 7 Cups: Online emotional-support platform connecting users with trained volunteer listeners and licensed therapists. Comparable as a volunteer-staffed emotional-support service, with overlapping active-listening methodology and free tier, though delivered via chat rather than voice.

Direct peers

• IMAlive: Volunteer-staffed online crisis chat network modeled on the original Contact helpline movement. Comparable as a free, confidential, volunteer-driven emotional-support service operating alongside the national 988 ecosystem.
• Trans Lifeline: Peer-support hotline staffed by volunteers for transgender people in crisis. Comparable as a small, donor-funded, volunteer-run crisis hotline affiliated with the broader 988 ecosystem.
• Contact USA: National umbrella organization for community-based, volunteer-staffed telephone helplines offering active listening and crisis support. Directly comparable because Caring Contact traces its roots to the same Contact movement and shares the active-listening volunteer model.
• Trevor Project: National nonprofit providing 24/7 crisis support via call, text, and chat to LGBTQ+ young people. Comparable as a donor-funded, volunteer/staff-supported crisis hotline that pairs direct service with prevention education and training programs.
• Crisis Text Line: Volunteer-staffed crisis intervention service offering free, confidential 24/7 emotional support via text messaging. Directly comparable to Caring Contact's volunteer-driven, free, confidential emotional-support hotline model, though delivered over SMS instead of voice.

Broad incumbents

• 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: The federal 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline network of which Caring Contact is an accredited primary-responding member center for north-central New Jersey. Directly comparable as the umbrella crisis-call infrastructure that routes calls to Caring Contact.
• Vibrant Emotional Health: Administrator of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and operator of the former National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Comparable as the national coordinating body and large incumbent crisis-services provider whose network policies and funding allocations directly shape Caring Contact's call volume and grant access.

Others

• SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration): Federal agency that funds and oversees the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline network. Comparable as the ecosystem regulator and primary funder of crisis-services infrastructure in which Caring Contact operates.

Regional players

• Veterans Crisis Line: Federal 988 crisis line for veterans, for which Caring Contact serves as a backup center. Directly comparable as a crisis-call service operating in the same 988 network with similar volunteer/listener training requirements.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/caringcontact
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/caring-contact

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Caring Contact