This presentation traces the history of the growth of the San Francisco hot line over 3 decades. It was initially established in 1962 as a suicide prevention initiative, & expanded to include a Mental Health Information & Referral Line, a Drugline, a Friendship Line for the Elderly, a Youth Line, & an AIDS/HIV crisis line. Changes in funding patterns, competing accountabilities, cultural diversity, & impact on old/new programs & volunteers are discussed.