January is a good time to join the Compeer team of caring volunteers

As the year 2014 begins many of you are setting new goals to help this New Year become one of your most rewarding years ever. Perhaps you have “volunteering” on your list of possible goals. As you know volunteering, sharing your time and abilities, is a rewarding activity that benefits both the lives of others and your community. The Compeer Program at Far West Center offers a uniquely flexible and fun way to volunteer.

The Compeer Program at Far West Center is a nonprofit program that assists adults in recovery from mental illness to end isolation and depression. Our program is an affiliate of the international Compeer Inc. which is an evidence-based program model of offering support and improving recovery. 

Our Compeer Program has many outstanding men and women volunteers that are required to provide only friendship to members of Compeer. Compeer is in need of more adult volunteers in 2014 that can offer friendship by phone and in social settings. The Compeer Program office is located in Westlake on the campus of St. John Medical Center.

In 2014 your life is pretty fast paced whether you are a parent, a doctor, a manager, an employee, a retired professional or a new college student. Where can you be a part of an important team and perform your role anytime it fits into your schedule? In Compeer! Every Compeer volunteer designs his or her own schedule and pace.

Volunteers make supportive friendship calls during the available times in their weekly schedule from whatever location they chose. Volunteers can plan their own visits with their Compeer friends and also pick from a schedule of planned Compeer events in the community. 

Our Compeer volunteers are asked to offer only friendship and never to serve as problem solvers or counselors. For 40-plus years the Compeer program model has demonstrated that friendship has a healing and motivating power in the recovery process. Our volunteers are provided with ongoing help and support from Compeer staff. Recent survey results show that the Compeer program and Compeer support rate 100 percent in the “good to excellent” range by Compeer members and volunteers.

The variety of Compeer events offered each month are facilitated to provide comfortable, fun ways to socialize. These events are at places in the community including the Metroparks, museums, libraries, budget-friendly restaurants and fresh food markets. 

By volunteering for Compeer you will change someone’s life and help end his or her isolation and depression. It is very rewarding to become a friend that brings joy back into someone’s week. Please consider giving our Compeer office a call at 440-835-6212, ext. 242, and find out about our flexible and fun volunteering opportunities.

For 2014 the Compeer Program at Far West Center has a goal to improve the lives of every member. We need more men and women volunteers to help Compeer to help adults in our community.

Denise Ayres

The Compeer Program has been serving adults that are managing mental illness from our Far West Center office beginning in 1989! The Compeer Program is a branch of Compeer, Inc., an international organization with an evidence based program model. Compeer matches adult volunteers with same gender adult consumers of mental health services to provide friendship, emotional support, and encouragement. Denise Ayres, Compeer Program Coordinator, is a Licensed Social Worker with many years of working in adult mental health services.  Holly Henderson, Peer Support Specialist,is certified as a state Peer Counselor.

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Volume 6, Issue 2, Posted 10:17 AM, 01.21.2014