The phones never stop ringing at the 211 Broward call center. It's a one-stop hotline where people can find information and help with all sorts of problems. These days, it's busier than ever, because teenagers are flocking to its companion website, Teenspace211.org, for the type of answers they may not be able to get at home on topics like drugs, sex, and fears of bullying.
"They need a place to go where they can talk to someone confidentially and anonymous, that seems to be one of the biggest issues, there's no one they can trust to tell," says Laurie Sallarullo, vice president of 211 Broward.
"Tell" what? She's talking about gay teenagers, deathly afraid to come out, knowing the harrassment they're likely to face from their peers and sometimes from their own families. After a series of high-profile suicides by gay teens around the country, Teenspace211.org launched an effort to reach out to these kids.
"The goal," said Sallarulo, "is to get them to the help they need before they are in crisis."
"it's unfortunate that so many of these incidents happen, and we don't want it to happen in Broward County," said Teri Wlliams of the Safe to be Me Coalition.
The website features links to Youtube videos from gay celebrities, showing teenagers there is hope, life gets better after the trauma of high school bullying is over. There are also answers to questions, suggestions on how to handle situatons, and links to organizations specializing in this issue.
"Sometimes they may not want to talk to someone, but they need informaton, what do I do, how do I handle this, what support groups are out there to help me get though this, and that's what we want Teenspace to be," Sallarulo said.
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Teenspace is on Facebok, Twitter, and, of course, counselors are standing by if a kid needs a sympathetic ear to talk to.
"It's not the only way, but it is a critical route for kids who are always tech savvy, always have cell phones in their hands, they know where to go," Williams says.
It's impossible to know if Teenspace211 has actually prevented a suicide or another act of violence. But there's no doubt call volume is up tremendously. That means more kids are getting help, and hopefully, seeing a better future for themselves.
