Five Acres HOPE line helps families and individuals in crisis

Now with the U.S. highest unemployment rate due to the coronavirus, people are struggling financially, experiencing food insecurity, and facing mental health challenges like depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts. Altadena-based foster care/adoption and mental health provider, Five Acres has launched the HOPE line at 1-800-696-6793 or HOPE@5acres.org where individuals can call, text or email. The HOPE line staff helps people in need of support in mental health, prevention of child abuse, domestic violence, and families seeking to become foster resource families.

“The number of referrals being received by our community service programs is on the rise due to the mental stress of the pandemic,” said Five Acres CEO Chanel Boutakidis, who also expressed concern for the children who are experiencing abuse behind closed doors and have no means of reporting it to a trusting adult like a teacher, school counselor, or peer.

According to the Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services, on average, the county’s Child Protection Hotline received about 1,000 daily reports. In recent weeks, however, there has been a decline in calls of up to 50 percent.

The agency’s community-based services team is available now to assist with basic needs resources, assessing abuse and reporting it, and starting the process for additional Five Acres services. While the HOPE line is not a 24/7 crisis line, the agency’s staff will reply within one business day to all texts or calls to 1-800-696-6793 or emails to HOPE@5acres.org requesting help.

Below are thumbnails of images you can use to help raise awareness of the Five Acres HOPE line. Simply click on the image to download the various sizes. In addition, watch our HOPE line videos below. Thank you!

Five Acres HOPE line is here call or text 1-800-696-6793 or HOPE@5acres.org
A man with his hands on his head with the words that say experiencing stress and anxiety with COVID-19. HOPE is here. Call or text 1-800-696-6793 or HOPE@5acres.org
Sad child looking out the window with wording that says with the pandemic child abuse reporting has decreased by 50%. Child abuse has not. HOPE is here. Call or text 1-800-696-6793 or HOPE@5acres.org
A couple arguing with the words that say unexpected life events can push families and individuals to their limits. HOPE is here. Call or text 1-800-696-6793 or HOPE@5acres.org
A happy couple with the words that say considering being a forever family and bringing hope to children's lives. HOPE is here. Call or text 1-800-696-6793 or HOPE@5acres.org
A woman on a cell phone with the words that say are you or someone you know in an unhealthy relationship. HOPE is here. Call or text 1-800-696-6793 or HOPE@5acres.org
Five Acres HOPE line is here call or text 1-800-696-6793 or HOPE@5acres.org
A man with his hands on his head with the words that say experiencing stress and anxiety with COVID-19. HOPE is here. Call or text 1-800-696-6793 or HOPE@5acres.org
Sad child looking out the window with wording that says with the pandemic child abuse reporting has decreased by 50%. Child abuse has not. HOPE is here. Call or text 1-800-696-6793 or HOPE@5acres.org
A couple arguing with the words that say unexpected life events can push families and individuals to their limits. HOPE is here. Call or text 1-800-696-6793 or HOPE@5acres.org
A happy couple with the words that say considering being a forever family and bringing hope to children's lives. HOPE is here. Call or text 1-800-696-6793 or HOPE@5acres.org

Five Acres eAltadena Lanza la Línea HOPE   

Ahora con la tasa de desempleo más alta en los EE. UU. debido al coronavirus, la gente está teniendo problemas financieros, está experimentando inseguridad alimentaria y enfrentando desafíos de salud mental como depresión, ansiedad y pensamientos suicidas. Five Acres, proveedor de cuidado de acogida/adopción y salud mental con sede en Altadena, ha lanzado la línea HOPE al 800-696-6793 o HOPE@5acres.org donde las personas pueden llamar, enviar un mensaje de texto o correo electrónico. El personal de la línea HOPE ayuda a las personas que necesitan apoyo en salud mental, prevención del abuso infantil, violencia doméstica y a las familias que buscan convertirse en familias de recursos de acogida.  

“El número de referencias que reciben nuestros programas de servicio comunitario está en aumento debido al estrés mental de la pandemia”, dijo la Directora de Five Acres, Chanel Boutakidis, quien también expresó su preocupación por los niños que sufren abusos a puerta cerrada y no tienen medios para informarlo a un adulto de confianza, como un maestro, un consejero escolar o un compañero. 

De acuerdo con el Departamento de Servicios Infantiles y Familiares de Los Ángeles, en promedio, la Línea Directa de Protección Infantil del condado recibía alrededor de 1,000 reportes diarios. Sin embargo, en las últimas semanas, ha habido una disminución en las llamadas de hasta el 50 por ciento.    

El equipo de servicios comunitarios de la agencia está disponible ahora para ayudar con recursos de necesidades básicas, evaluar el abuso y reportarlo y comenzar el proceso para los servicios adicionales de Five Acres. Mientras que la línea HOPE no es una línea de crisis 24/7, el personal de la agencia responderá dentro del siguiente día hábil a todos los mensajes de texto o llamadas al 1-800-696-6793 o correos electrónicos a HOPE@5acres.org solicitando ayuda.  

Para saber más sobre Five Acres y para apoyar los esfuerzos de la agencia, visita 5acres.org.