Answering the Call: Virginia's Journey to Becoming a 988 Counselor

Virginia Rodriguez is a proud, former DVR consumer who now serves as a crisis counselor for 988 Wisconsin Lifeline.

BROWN COUNTY – One Brown County woman’s journey from struggling student to professional counselor is a powerful example of how support, resilience, and the right resources can change a life.

Virginia Rodriguez first connected with the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development's Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) in 2018 while battling anxiety and depression. Then a high school student, she often found herself overwhelmed by daily tasks, which sometimes led to panic attacks.

As a first step toward healing, Virginia reached out to a therapist. With professional support, she learned coping mechanisms and strategies to manage her symptoms and began to regain a sense of hope. Despite her mental health challenges, she also felt a strong desire to pursue higher education.

"When I first heard of DVR in high school, I thought I would only ever need it to help me afford college," Virginia said. "And as a lot of 18-year-olds naively do, I thought I would know exactly what to do with my life after those four years and would never need any more help from anyone."

With encouragement from her DVR vocational rehabilitation counselor, Nicole Vike, Virginia applied for a DVR Training Grant and the Career Pathways Advancement Initiative. Funds from these DVR programs helped her enroll at St. Norbert College in August 2019. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in social work in May 2023, a field she had long been passionate about and through which she hoped to give back to her community.

Virginia’s journey didn’t stop there.

After graduation, while continuing to work a fast-food job to make ends meet, she began searching for a role in social work. With support from VaryAbility, LLC, a local job developer from Green Bay, Virginia received help with job applications, interview preparation, and job leads in her chosen field.

Following months of job searching, Virginia accepted a full-time position as a crisis counselor with 988 Wisconsin Lifeline, the in-state agency operated by Family Services of Northeast Wisconsin. She completed four weeks of crisis intervention training and jumped into service. Today, she works with clients during some of their most vulnerable moments—helping to de-escalate emotional crises, activate problem-solving strategies, and connect individuals with ongoing care. Virginia's intervention proves critical to bridging the gap between immediate needs and long-term treatment.

"I love my job very much… my team is very supportive, kind, and welcoming," said Virginia. "I've never felt as supported and cared-for in a work environment as I do with 988, and I am very thankful to be in this role."

Virginia's story is a testament to the importance of mental health awareness. By openly sharing her experience, she helps to reduce the stigma around mental illness and encourages others to seek the help they need. Her journey is a reminder that it's okay to not be okay, and that no one has to face their struggles alone.

"I will always be grateful for the ways you [DVR] encouraged me to strive for bigger and greater things in my life," Virginia said. "I look back on my involvement with DVR as one of the only consistent sources of accountability and encouragement I had. Thank you for believing in my ability to take care of myself when not many other people did."

Virginia is among the roughly 18,000 Wisconsin workers with disabilities receiving services from DVR at any given time. DVR offers a range of services, including training, internships, assistive technology, interviewing assistance, and on-the-job support across 38 locations statewide.

DVR counselors are based throughout Wisconsin and travel to serve individuals in all parts of the state. Wisconsin residents with disabilities who would like to find a job, keep a job, or advance their career can get assistance by calling DVR toll-free at 800-442-3477, emailing dvr@dwd.wisconsin.gov, or by visiting DVR's website.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. If you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of suicide, mental health or a substance abuse crisis, please call or text "988," or visit 988 Lifeline.