What's SupportLink?
| SupportWorks, a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization, developed
SupportLink in 1992 to provide an economical way for people anywhere in
the continental USA to meet using telephone conference technology.
As technology has developed and prices have fallen, SupportLink has evolved
into an advisory and consulting service. At the present time SupportLink
includes the following:
1) assistance in finding telephone conference calls for very little or no charge 2) training for group leaders 3) assistance in making the most of your telephone group meetings 4) help in evaluating the success of your calls. SupportWorks no longer provides conference technology because other organizations can now provide these services free or at a low cost. |
Is it simple to use?
| Yes! In general, at a pre-arranged time, all of the members of your group use their regular telephones to call a regular phone number and are linked together in a conference call. No special equipment is needed. They meet, talk, laugh, listen, and when they're through, hang up. Depending on the sponsor of the service, there is often no charge for the conference service, but each person pays his or her own long distance charge to that telephone number. |
Do support groups run effectively
by phone?
| Yes! People in telephone conference groups report receiving the same benefits as those in face-to-face groups. They find the groups provide them with timely education, mutual emotional support, and relief from isolation. In fact, some people feel it is easier to be open with others on the phone because they are anonymous and invisible. |
Who can use SupportLink's services?
| SupportLink is a special service for people whose circumstances prevent them from meeting in person. These include those who live too far apart, are too sick, are unable to leave home, or have unusually private problems. Here are some of the problems faced by those who have found telephone groups helpful: | ||||||||||
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| In addition, nonprofit organizations find SupportLink an economical and efficient way to have board, conference planning, or training meetings with their support group leaders. |
Can SupportLink's services save
our group time and money?
| Yes! When long distance or busy schedules are a problem, a conference call may be the best way to bring people together because it eliminates travel time and costs. |
Is there a charge?
| SupportWork's consultation to help you develop a telephone network is provided without charge. Instructional brochures are sold at cost ($5 or less) and are optional. SupportWorks no longer provides the actual telephone equipment for conference calls because other organizations can now provide these services at an extremely low cost. To see what cost would apply to your group, please contact Joal at SupportWorks at 704/377-2055 -- the best time to call is Monday through Thursday morning 9 a.m. to noon Eastern time. |
How do I find out more?
| Call SupportWorks at 704/377-2055 or e-mail us from our website. We are available for phone calls on Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon Eastern time to answer your questions about costs or provide other information; we will return messages left at other times. |
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