Why I’m Still Here After 18 Years

By Dana Mastrangelo, Program Director

Eighteen years is a long time to be anywhere. If you had asked me when I first started at Long Island Crisis Center at 21 years old whether I thought I’d still be here nearly two decades later, I probably would have laughed and said no. At the time, I was focused on learning the role, figuring out the day-to-day, and just getting comfortable in a new environment. I was hired at a low level Office Manager Position. It was my first “real” job out of college, where I had studied psychology and history, and I was looking to get my foot in the door at a mental health agency. I was trying to decide on a path forward towards a Master’s Degree…I certainly wasn’t thinking 18 years ahead.

A lot has changed since then. The way we work has changed. The way people communicate has changed. The technology has changed. Even the way people seek support has changed. But what hasn’t changed is why this organization exists, and why the work still matters.

When people think about a crisis center, they usually think about the person answering the phone during a difficult moment. And that’s understandable — those conversations are a huge part of what we do. But after working here this long, I’ve come to appreciate just how much happens behind the scenes to make that support possible. Every volunteer training, every outreach and fundraising event, every schedule adjustment, every system update, every administrative task contributes to making sure someone is there when a person reaches out.

That’s something I’ve learned over the years: no role here is small. The work may look different depending on where you sit, but it’s all connected. At Long Island Crisis Center, we’re a family. Our roles may be different, but there’s a shared respect for the work and perspective each person brings. Whether someone walks through the door as a staff member or a volunteer, they’re part of something bigger, and that matters. We support each other, learn from each other, and rely on one another in ways that make the work stronger.

One of the things that has stayed with me most is the people. I’ve seen staff and volunteers give so much of themselves to this work. I’ve watched people come in unsure of what to expect- with doubts that they could be the kind of counselor they’ve always hoped to be- grow into some of the most thoughtful, dependable people you could hope to work alongside. I’ve seen volunteers stay for decades because they care deeply about being there for others. I’ve seen staff adapt through changes, challenges, and completely new ways of working, always with the same goal in mind.

That kind of commitment says something.

Over 18 years, you also start to notice patterns in people. You realize how many individuals are carrying things no one else can see. You learn that someone can seem completely fine on the outside and still be struggling quietly. You start to see just how heavy the world really is. You see how much people need to feel connection and to be heard, and how rare it can feel for someone to truly listen without judgment.

That’s part of why organizations like Long Island Crisis Center matter. We’re not just responding to moments of crisis, we’re creating space for connection when people may feel like they have nowhere else to turn. It doesn’t matter who you are or what you’re going through- there is truly no judgement here. Our motto has always been any problem, any time, any one and we are so proud to offer that kind of service to the people of Long Island.

For me, that’s what has kept me here. Not because every day is easy (helping to run a 24/7 operation can take a lot out of you!), but because it has meaning. I’ve seen firsthand that one conversation can matter. One volunteer can matter. One person choosing to make a call can matter.

There’s something powerful about being part of work that reminds people they are not alone.

After 18 years, I still believe in that. I still believe in the people who make this work possible, and in the importance of showing up for a community that needs support in ways many people never fully see.

The work has changed. The world has changed. I have changed from a 21 year old mostly directionless kid who had just moved back into her parents’ house, to a 39 year old working mom with a husband and a house of my own. But the reason I do this work hasn’t.

People still need connection. They still need support. They still need someone willing to listen.

There’s a quote from Fred Rogers that has always stayed with me: “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” After all these years, I can honestly say I don’t have to look far. I’m surrounded by helpers every day- the volunteers who show up for strangers in difficult moments, the staff who keep everything moving, and the people who quietly make sure someone gets help when they need it most. That’s one of the reasons this place continues to feel like home, and that’s worth staying for.

If you’re looking to be a part of something bigger- we’re currently accepting applications for volunteers. For more information, please click here: https://www.longislandcrisiscenter.org/get-involved-2