Volunteer Opportunities

Compeer Volunteer Opportunities

Adult Compeer:

• Participants are non-aggressive adults, ages 18 plus, that have been diagnosed with severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI) who would benefit from a Compeer friend as identified by a mental health professional.
• Serve as supportive a friend, role model and advocate in a one-on-one friendships or with staff in a group setting.
• Spend 4-8 hours per month together sharing activities you both enjoy.
• Benefit for participants include improved socialization skills and self-esteem. Friendship also helps the person served attain greater independence and community integration.

Children's Compeer:

• Participants must be referred by a mental health professional, have parental consent, be non-aggressive, and willing to be in a Compeer friendship.
• Matches children diagnosed with serious emotional disturbances (SED) with a caring, adult mentor in one-on-one community-based matches.
• Compeer friends spend 4-8 hours per month together sharing activities they both enjoy.
• Benefits for participants include improved socialization and self-esteem, community integration, and learning new skills.

Lunch Buddies:

• Participants are children, grades K-8, diagnosed with a serious emotional disturbance (SED), or symptoms of SED, identified by a Communities in Schools coordinator or social worker at the child's school. They must have parental consent, be non-aggressive, and be willing to be matched with a Compeer friend.
• Mentors spend one (1) hour per week with the child over his/her lunch period visiting about school and home life, playing games, or working on school work.
• Participating children are at risk for suspensions and may experience poor grades and low self-esteem. The goal is to reduce these tendencies.
  

Schizophrenics Anonymous:

• Self-help support group for persons with schizophrenia or related disorders.
• Attendance is free and groups are staff facilitated.
• Bi-monthly meetings are conducted on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays each month: 12-1 PM at the Mental Health Association, 555 N. Woodlawn, Ste. 3105 and
  7-8 PM and at Project Independence, 310 S. Ida.
  

Click here to download a Compeer application and mail to:

Mental Health Association
Compeer
555 N. Woodlawn, Ste. 3105
Wichita, KS 67208