"A place to talk"

ListeningAfter the Columbine tragedy in Colorado, "Nobody listens to us" was a recurring theme expressed by young people in the media. The Nation's high divorce rate, blended families and single-parent households have resulted in a lack of communication.

For 27 years, The Listening Post has provided a safe space for students of all ages to express feelings of joy, anger, rejection, failure and confusion. Each person is respected and accepted just as they are at the moment, with the opportunity to discuss options without judgement and without advice.

Listening Posts are established in lunchrooms, busy walkways, hallways or entrances of schools and universities. The environment is simple: A table, a cheery checkered tablecloth, and a bowl of fruit or snacks and a sign reading: THE LISTENING POST - A PLACE TO TALK welcome individuals of any age or race to stop by.

 

Two carefully trained adult volunteers from the community are present one day weekly to listen and respond with clarifying questions. They are trained to listen and to ask non judgemental clarifying questions, but do not give advice. If a 'serious' issue arises, they refer students to counselors and/or administrators.

In addition to the free snacks, bookmarks and dozens of informational 'issue-related' booklets are scattered on the table, right at hand and free for the taking. Students, administrators and faculty or citizen passers-by, gravitate to the homey setting, returning week after week.

No Appointment is necessary; no application form; no membership fee; no age restriction; no time limit; no discrimination and no advice... Just respectful listening, and non-judgemental, clarifying questions.

 

 

Listening

Mabel F. Barth

Founder of The Listening Post

Phi Beta Kappa graduate of West Virginia University, English major, Human Development minor.

Awards

2004 Recipient of the 9Who Care Award from Channel 9 News, Denver, CO
2004 Recipient of the Everyday Hero Award from Channel 7 News, Denver, CO.
2003 Recipient of the Families & Work Institute's Salute to Educators Award.
2000 Recipient of the Satyagraha Award from the Selection Committee of Season for Nonviolence.
2000 Chosen Honorary Member of the Year by Colorado Mothers, Inc. (Dr. Barth is not biologically a mother)
1998 Chosen Champion by Colorado Mothers, Inc. for service to children and families.
1998 Recipient of the Lutheran Medical Center Foundation Award for "helping to build a healthy community"
1997 Recipient, Trailblazer Award, from American Association of University Women.
1997 Recipient of the Annual Dale Tooley Award for Community Service.
1997 Chosen Hometown Hero by Children's Miracle Network for U.S. telethon at Disneyworld.
1996 Recipient of Achievement Award from E-Town, national radio program, for making a difference in the community.
1994 Recipient of Choice Champion Award from New Choices for Retirement Living magazine.
1994 Recipient of the SAVVY Award from Foley's for outstanding grass roots volunteerism.
1994 Recipient of Award for Excellence in Community Service from the DAR, Peace Pipe Chapter, Denver CO.
1992 Recipient of the Annual Caring Award from First Plymouth Foundation.
1992 Recipient of Outstanding Citizen Award for commitment to effective philanthropy from NPDSC
1991 Chosen a Giraffe by the Giraffe Project, a national organization seeking people who stick their neck out for the common good.
1990 Recipient of an honorary degree, Doctor of Humane Letters, West Virginia University.
1990 Recipient of the Distinguished Service Award from the University of Colorado.
1989 First recipient of the AIM Award for a decade of service to the three-institution college/university Auraria Campus
1989 Recipient of the Newton C. Getter Award for innovative work in higher education.
1983 Author of The Listening Post handbook, distributed internationally.
1981 Recipient of the Distinguished Service Award from St Francis Center for design and implementation of The Listening Post.
1979 The Listening Post designed and staffed

Leadership Team

Mabel Barth, Chief Executive Officer

Alice Freeman, Financial Officer

Frank Queen, School Liaison

Calista and Dan Schwartz, Training Facilitators

Vickie Galimov, Planning Associate

Ann Weaver, Special Assignments

Jeff Johnson, Webmaster and Systems Manager

Addendum: Quarterly reporting and annual audit done by The Taylor Company

Board of Directors

Mabel Barth
Founter/CEO

Charles Gojmerac
Certified Public Accountant

Janet Johnson
Editor, Excelsior Youth Center

Dr. Mitchell Handelsman Honorary Member
Professor of Psychology

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