Volunteer Spotlight: Sharon, Parent Stress Line Counselor
Sharon has been part of the Parents Helping Parents community for 17 years, serving in different capacities including as a Project Director and now as a volunteer on the Parent Stress Line. With a professional background in healthcare and higher education, and personal experience as a parent of a child with ADHD, ODD, and dyslexia, she brings a unique perspective to the support she offers.
She first got involved with PHP because she was looking to connect with other parents who had walked a similar path. “I wanted an opportunity to resonate with like-minded mothers of children with special needs,” she shared. Today, her motivation comes from the power of truly being there for someone else. “Knowing you’ve made a difference in someone’s life by listening carefully and responding with empathy—that’s what keeps me coming back.”
The Parent Stress Line (1-800-632-8188) is free, confidential, and available 24/7. It’s designed for anyone caring for a child—parents, grandparents, babysitters, foster parents, or neighbors—who may be feeling overwhelmed and just need someone to talk to. As Sharon explains, the line functions “like having access to a friend who has your best interest at heart and will keep your statements in confidence.”
Some callers are able to work through a specific issue in a single conversation. Others call more often, finding comfort in having someone to turn to. Either way, volunteers like Sharon meet every caller with compassion. “I learn something new every shift,” she said. “Volunteering helps put my own concerns in perspective.”
Sharon encourages anyone curious about volunteering to consider giving it a try. “There’s training and support along the way. You won’t be doing it alone. And the feeling of knowing you’ve helped someone—it stays with you.”
Outside of PHP, Sharon enjoys meditation, improvisational acting, and spending time with her two young granddaughters. Her life experience, paired with her ongoing commitment to learning and connection, makes her a steady and caring voice for those who reach out for help.
Interested in becoming a Parent Stress Line volunteer?
