Compeer
Share A Dream Be A Friend
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What is Compeer?
Compeer means companion, a friend, an equal.
Compeer is an award winning, community based program
matching trained community volunteers in friendship relationships
with children and adults experiencing mental health difficulties.
It is a remarkable story of personal change, based on the concept
that a volunteer’s friendship and support can offset the
loneliness and isolation that accompany mental illness.
The Need For Compeer
Although Serious Emotional Disturbance may periodically limit
the functions a youth can perform, it does not limit the young
person’s need for human connection and personal value.
Forming an identity and the quest for independence is difficult
for a young person growing up today. There are numerous societal
influences both positive and negative, which adolescents must
face.
Many adolescents who are confronted by these issues need additional
social supports or friendships to assist them in their daily lives.
Who does Compeer help?
Persons served by Compeer are youth 18 are youth 18 and under
or adults 18 years and over, living in supportive living facilities,
with families, or on their own.
Volunteers in Compeer also benefit from the friendship. Friendship
is a reciprocal relationship where each person gives and receives.
The Compeer volunteer has the opportunity to make an important
difference in someone’s life and share a unique relationship.
The community benefits from Compeer because the program serves
as a supplement to community services, decreases hospitalizations,
eases stress on families of individuals with mental illness, and
creates community understanding and awareness of mental health
needs.
Compeer Volunteer Training.
The goal of training is to communicate to volunteers the guidelines
and expectations of the program and to prepare them to function
effectively in their roles as volunteers. This would also include
a brief education about mental illness and the volunteer’s
role.
Compeer One-to-One Friendships
Adult Compeer
A trained volunteer is matched in a one-to-one friendship relationship
with an adult consumer of mental health services. The volunteer
assists and enhances the successful rehabilitation and re-entry
of the consumer into the community by providing individual support.
Compeer friends meet once a week to do whatever they enjoy-attend
movies, have a cup of coffee, or just talk. Sometimes volunteers
help their friends accomplish specific goals. What they do together
isn’t as important as just being together.
Youth Compeer
A trained volunteer is matched in a one-to-one friendship relationship
with youth with Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED). Volunteers
are mentors, role model, and advocates for their friends. They
have an opportunity to help a youth develop attitudes and behaviors
that will encourage a healthy productive life.
Youth matches meet once a week for two (2) hours and can enjoy
community activities. What they do together isn’t as important
as being together.
Group Compeer
A group of trained volunteers or a trained individual volunteer
is matched in a social setting with a group of adults who have
mental illness. The setting will be at the requesting agency with
staff supervision. Group placements offer a wide range of planned
activities. If the volunteer prefers less structure, they may
be called upon to interact with individuals for dinner or attend
an outing at the movies or malls.
Compeer Calling
Trained volunteers provide regular, supportive telephone conversations
once a week of 5-10 minutes with adults on the waiting list for
a one-to-one match. There are no face-to-face meetings. Conversation
centers on common interests.
The Youth Compeer Program?
The Youth Compeer program matches caring sensitive, screened,
trained, and appropriate volunteers in one-to-one friendships
with youth 18 and under with Serious Emotional Disturbance.
The Youth Compeer program is an adjunct to therapy and is based
on the concept that a volunteer’s friendship, advocacy,
and support can offset the loneliness and isolation that accompany
mental illnesses.
A Youth Compeer volunteer can directly impact and help to strengthen
the life of a young person.
This program is for youth who would like to increase their social
skills, reduce their isolation and loneliness, and increase their
well-being through social contact with others.
To be eligible, a youth must be 18 years or younger, have a professional,
and meet once a week.
Compeer Lunch Buddies
Compeer matches volunteers in friendship relationships with
youth at risk. It only takes one hour a week to have lunch with
a youth. That one hour can make a significant difference in the
life of a child in need.
Use the power of your friendship to help youth live happier more
productive lives.
Become a Compeer Volunteer.
Your friendship can make all the difference in
the life of a youth or adult who is working to overcome a mental
illness.
There are volunteer opportunities for all of the
aforementioned services.
Share A Dream…
Make A Friend…
Get Involved!
How do I volunteer?
If you’re 18 or older and wish to be a volunteer, just
follow these steps.
1. Call or write for Compeer information.
2. Complete a Compeer volunteer application
3. Attend training sessions with other volunteers
4. Choose you Compeer friend. Volunteers are matched with consumers
of the same gender who share mutual interests and are available
during convenient times.
5. Meet with your Compeer friends’ mental health professional.
6. Meet your friend and begin what will be an enjoyable and rewarding
experience.
7. Continued support is provided. Compeer staff and mental health
professionals are always available to answer your questions and
concerns.
Contact Info:
Call: 785-232-6807
Fax: 785-232-0751
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