About the group:

Established in 1971. Serves Northwest Indiana. Helps any person, of any age, in personal crisis through 24-hour services. Web site: www.crisiscenterysb.org. Nonprofit organization.

Mission: "We believe people are important," says the organization's Web site. "We believe that people can change. We believe in each life there are crisis events that are opportunities for change. We believe relationships between people are the vital link that holds society together. We believe in each life there are moments when the individual or the family must reach beyond themselves for support, help and understanding. We believe it is in such moments that the Crisis Center serves as agents to respond, to aid, to support and to enrich the people we serve."

Special events: Crisis Contact, the center's pilot program, answers incoming calls from individuals needing information, a referral or someone to talk to. Youth as Resources is a youth development project that provides mini grants for youth-generated and completed projects. Teen Court is a prevention, early intervention and youth development program; it trains teens to serve in roles of prosecution, defense, bailiff, clerk and jurors. Safe Place combines public and private cooperation to get help fast to youths in crisis situations; businesses provide a location, display a Safe Place sign indicating youths may request help. Reassurance Contact provides free weekly wellness checks via telephone for elderly, disabled and homebound. Counseling services provide quick response to client needs, and Alternative House is a place where children and youth can receive temporary shelter and safely work through family problems that have separated them. Crisis Center Inc. recently held its 12th

annual wine fest and auction at Sand Creek Country Club in Chesterton.

Advice: "We're often the first contact people make to get services," said executive director Shirley Caylor. "Kids come to our emergency shelter from Safe Place or other referrals. We help determine what the problem is, what can be done and how to make their lives better."

How to get involved: There are many ways to donate, including gift annuities, bequests and cash gifts. For information, call Shirley Caylor at (219) 938-7070, ext. 2727, or Barbara Wisdom at ext. 2710. Free crisis intervention, information, referral and talk-line available seven days a week. Call (219) 938-0900 or (800) 519-0469. The 24-hour suicide line is (800) 273-8255. Volunteers are needed.

People might be surprised to know: "How long we've been here. Often people are surprised when they hear about the Crisis Center and what we do unless someone needed the services," Caylor said.

- SUE BERO, Times Correspondent

To nominate a group for this feature, e-mail slbero@hotmail.com