In a world of uncertainty, one thing has held true and constant for the last 24 years: Come Monday morning, Gayle Friedman will answer a ringing phone and ease a worried student's mind.

Along with 29 other volunteers, Friedman works weekly shifts at UCLA Extension's student advisory office, answering questions, suggesting courses of study and helping adult learners pursue various educational options in Southern California. "We provide loving care," Friedman said. "We do a lot of mothering, actually."

The all-volunteer Extension Advisory Service celebrated its 30th anniversary April 24 with a tea at the Faculty Center, hosted by UCLA Extension Dean Robert Lapiner.

"The volunteer advisers provide a great community service by linking adult learners to a variety of opportunities," he said. "They help people pursue their professional and personal aspirations."

The volunteers handle questions that range from "How can I change careers?" to "Where can I study online or on weekends?" They are rigorously trained on how to effectively advise students about the educational resources provided by Extension and by other postsecondary schools in the area.

Extension Advisory Service coordinator Marty Cregg swears by the volunteers he supervises. "They provide a personal contact that students really appreciate," he said. "When you're not sure which path to take, it helps to have a guide."

The work is so satisfying that many of the advisers have been working their shifts for decades. "Once I start something, I stay with it," said Westwood resident Eleanor Phillips, who has volunteered as an adviser for 23 years. "I think I'm doing a good service."

So do the students who call with questions about their educational options. "People always say, 'I can't believe I'm talking to a live person,' " said Phillips, a retired schoolteacher. "They're so used to voicemail. But human contact is important."

Ladera Heights resident Doris Henderson, also a retired elementary schoolteacher, appreciates the opportunity to earn discounts on Extension classes through her volunteer work. She has taken classes in interior design, math and online investing, and has joined her volunteer colleagues in an ongoing book club.

The volunteers' fondness for each other keeps them coming back, and so do the students. "People say, 'You're a saint for helping me,' " said West Hollywood resident Judith Kassover. "The gratitude is so satisfying. You think maybe you made a little difference in someone's life."