When Chris Rizzo began volunteering on the Samaritans Helpline during his junior year at Boston College, he didn’t know it would become such a defining part of his life. Working the challenging 3:00 AM to 7:00 AM shift, he found purpose in providing compassion to those who needed someone to talk to in those quiet hours of the morning.
“It is a sacred role for me and other folks on the Helpline,” Chris says. “To provide that shoulder, that listening ear—it’s special.”
Chris first learned about Samaritans through a friend who volunteered on the Helpline through Boston College’s PULSE program. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Chris’s Helpline shifts became a way for him to connect meaningfully with others during a time when he felt socially isolated. The title of Befriender resonated deeply with him.
“The role of the Befriender is simply to be present and to reinforce that we are here to support those who need us,” Chris explains. “We are here to listen compassionately, and we are here to support somebody when they need it the most. And that’s powerful. It’s simple, but it’s so powerful.”
Located at Mile 21 of the historic Boston Marathon® course, right after Heartbreak Hill, Boston College students are encouraged to support the runners as they enter the final stretch. Chris was inspired by the passion and energy he felt at that location. “Ever since my first Marathon Monday cheering on the runners, I was like, ‘Oh, I want to do this at some point.’”
Chris comes from a family of runners and was drawn to the feeling of achievement that comes with completing a long race. After running a marathon in his home state of Wisconsin, he set his sights on Boston. When selecting a charitable organization to run for, Samaritans was the only one he applied to, driven by his deep connection to the organization.
As he trains for race day, Chris reflects on how his time as a Befriender has changed his perspective.
“My training and my experience on the Helpline transformed how I listen to folks, how I am in my relationships, the respect that I hold for the people who matter to me and also the suffering in the experience of those who I might not know as well.”
Samaritans really put my eyes on the beauty of people around me, the way that we all struggle and how we can relate to each other at our low points.
Show Your Support
Cheer Chris on as he tackles the Boston Marathon in support of our mission to prevent suicide and support those affected.
