Compeer volunteer honored as United Way 'spotlight volunteer'

On March 8, the United Way of Greater Cleveland held its annual meeting in downtown Cleveland to review the 2012 United Way Campaign, to launch the 2013 campaign and to honor the outstanding and ever-giving United Way organizations that serve the Greater Cleveland area. United Way asks its organizations to nominate their “Spotlight Volunteers” for the past year. 

Far West Center, located on the Health Campus of St. John Medical Center, is a United Way agency. The Compeer Program at Far West Center nominated Mr. Terry Koozer as our agency’s Spotlight Volunteer of 2012. Terry Koozer has been volunteering for our Compeer program since October 2003. I'd like to share with you the difference Terry has made in the lives of others. As a Compeer volunteer, Terry offers friendship to a man that manages a mental illness.

Terry and his Compeer match were introduced in October 2003. Terry continues to have the same commitment and enthusiasm for his friendship and supportive role in his Compeer’s life. Terry offers ideas for activities that are social, informative and health-oriented and the ongoing encouragement his match needs to do them. Terry’s friendship has helped his match recover from brief symptom relapses he has experienced. Terry continues to make sure that his Compeer match does not become isolated and depressed, which can cause a recovery setback.

In October 2012 Terry and his friend went together to see President Obama speak at Burke Lakefront Airport. Terry’s friend told him that this will be one of his most memorable lifetime experiences!

Terry provides an outstanding example to the others who volunteer for our Compeer program. In the past year, Terry and his match volunteered additional time together to set up for our two major Compeer annual events, a summer picnic and a winter holiday party. Their friendship focuses on health, well-being and recovery….not on illness.

All too often people who experience a mental illness also become depressed, isolated, and may even attempt to harm themselves. Terry’s time, care and commitment for the past ten years has provided a very significant benefit to his Compeer match’s recovery. The Compeer motto is “Making friends. Changing lives.” By his participation in our program Terry has helped change life for his friend and has also had significant positive influences on the lives of others.

The Compeer pogram at Far West Center is grateful to Terry Koozer for all of his time and efforts. Our program is honored to have Terry as an outstanding example of our Compeer mission and the powerful gift of friendship in changing lives!

The Compeer Program at Far West Center is one of over 60 affiliate programs of the international nonprofit Compeer Inc. Our program is local, flexible, fun and changes lives! To become a Compeer Volunteer please call Denise at 440-835-6212, ext. 242.