Activity and friendships promote wellness

Compeer is the program at Far West Center that encourages hands-on activities, social activities, and building friendships to promote the wellness goals of mental health recovery. Summertime is especially fun for members and volunteers in the Compeer Program. 

July has been jumping! Taking good care of our vegetable garden at the Bay Village Community Garden has resulted in large green plants! We broke ground, literally with shovels, in our second plot donated to Compeer by the Bay Village Green Team. Compeer’s “Club West Garden Club” meets formally on two Monday afternoons per month at 3 p.m. Our next meeting is scheduled for August 8. If you are an adult gardener, please call to join us at 440-835-6212, ext. 242, and give us a hand!

On Friday, July 29, hopefully the fish will be jumping, too! Compeer has added a “Fishing Day” each month while weather permits. Many people enjoy fishing. If you are one of them, consider getting out your gear and giving Compeer a call.

August in Compeer is certainly action packed! To start off “Action Packed August” is our Compeer Monday Coffee Night on August 1 and the NAMI Hearts and Minds Health and Wellness Program at 6 p.m. on August 2. The NAMI Hearts and Minds program is open to all mental health service consumers in Cuyahoga County. 

As part of our Action Packed August, Compeer is scheduled to enjoy the beauty of the Westlake Recreation Center Park while listening to one of their free outdoor concerts on August 7 at 6:30 p.m. Then, on Friday, August 26, Compeer will enjoy the beauty of Bradley Woods Metro Park for our Annual Compeer Summer Picnic. We will enjoy volleyball, tasty burgers, and delicious desserts. 

As I stated in the beginning, friendship building is an important and effective part of the way Compeer is helpful to adults along their recovery. If you enjoy any of the above activities and enjoy socializing, please consider volunteering for Compeer. I cannot keep track of the numerous times that Compeer Volunteers have told us how beneficial Compeer is to their own mental health! 

For Compeer volunteering or membership, please call 440-835-6212, ext. 242, or email compeer@farwestcenter.com.   

Denise Ayres

Denise Ayres is a Compeer Program Coordinator.

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Volume 3, Issue 15, Posted 3:39 PM, 07.26.2011