Contact:	Arlene Klemow	FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
	908/301-1899	January 19, 2009

 

Garwood Woman Learns About Power of Listening

She came into this world weighing only 3 pounds, 4 ounces, and struggling to see through the cloud of cataracts in both eyes. But 30-year-old Jessica Mattfield, who was raised in Scotch Plains and recently moved to Garwood, has worked hard throughout her life to be defined by what she can do, not by any physical challenges or limitations. And the inquisitive young woman, who earned a BA from Dickinson College, and studied everything from economics to foreign languages to music, has discovered that one of the most powerful skills she has developed is the art of listening.

A volunteer at CONTACT We Care, the 24-hour caring and crisis hotline based in Westfield, Mattfield learned how to listen and hear the feelings behind the words by participating in the Volunteer Training Program taught by the 33 year-old non-profit. As a hotline volunteer she listens to callers who are lonely, depressed, stressed and even suicidal. The hotline handles more than 12,000 calls a year.

“CONTACT taught me how to listen, really listen, and not be judgmental,” said Mattfield. “My experience working on the hotline has taught me that people are really very similar — everyone has feelings and we can all relate on that level. It makes the world seem smaller.”

Now, as a student in the Accelerated Nursing Program at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Mattfield says her listening skills are proving to be tremendously helpful as she works with patients. “CONTACT’s active listening has taught me how to focus the conversation, collect information and keep the purpose in mind. Through CONTACT I learned that everyone can bring their own personal style to the hotline or the hospital room. You don’t have to erase your own personality to be therapeutic.”

Mattfield describes CONTACT’s 12-week Volunteer Training Program as “purposeful.” “I think it’s important to have a skill that can be used in a volunteer capacity. Listening is also a very marketable skill.”

The proud twin signed up to be a CONTACT volunteer after knowing about the organization for many years. “I remember seeing signs in my high school for the CONTACT hotline and thought it sounded like an interesting organization. I always felt lucky that have my family to talk to. Not everyone is so fortunate.”

Mattfield enjoys the quiet, anonymous nature of working on the hotline. She finds the one-on-one rapport with each caller satisfying and rewarding. “It’s so personal — an internal victory. Working on the hotline is about treating others the way you want to be treated.”

After almost a year on the line, Mattfield has experienced a wide variety of calls. “When you are able to get the caller to do one thing they thought they couldn’t — that’s really rewarding,” she said. “I feel privileged to be allowed into the caller’s life.”

“So many callers say ‘thank you,’ but the true reward is hearing that they feel better after talking to you.”

For Mattfield an additional benefit to volunteering at CONTACT is getting to know the other volunteers. “They are my kind of people,” she said. “They are inquisitive, purposeful and not afraid to dive in to help others. I feel a real bond with them.”

For more information about volunteering with CONTACT We Care, or to register for the upcoming training beginning February 23, please call 908/301-1899 or visit www.contactwecare.org.