VOLUNTEER JOB DESCRIPTION
Qualifications: Kindness, gentleness, patience. Personal experience with mental illness helpful, but not required.
Time requirement: One hour a week with a minimum of four hours a month
Responsible to:
- Compeer staff
- Referring therapist
- Compeer friend
Orientation: Interview by Compeer staff and referring therapist
Training: Three hours training provided
Duties: A Compeer volunteer is matched in a one-to-one or group friendship relationship with a person/s diagnosed with mental illness. After being carefully screened by the Compeer staff and referring therapist, the volunteer is matched with an appropriate individual of his/her choice. The volunteer assists with and enhances the successful rehabilitation and re-entry of their Compeer friend into the community by providing individual support. Compeer's goal is to compliment professional care by providing a meaningful friendship and role model for those outside the traditional mental health setting. Persons may attain a higher level of functioning by improving their communications and social skills, a sense of security and belonging, self-esteem, and interpersonal trust. The volunteer may also advocate for his/her Compeer friend in attaining more appropriate levels of housing and investigating community resources, education, and work opportunities.
The above job description is general. The volunteer's duties are highly individual depending on the needs of the client and the level of care.
Additional requirements: Perspective volunteers must have submit to a security check through the Office of Mental Health. This requires a fingerprinting check at a local agency. Volunteer must submit monthly reports to support ongoing communication and ongoing program funding requirements.
For a Compeer Volunteer Application, click here(pdf)
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteer Guidelines
Training process
To contact the Compeer director by e-mail click: tquerns.mhacc@verizon.net
Operation Dignity will resume in the spring! Please call (716)372-0208 for more information on how you can help.
Attention Teens! No One Way teen support group will be meeting every Friday from 3pm-6pm. Please call (716) 372-0208 to learn more.
GED Classes Mondays and Wednesdays 9am - 12pm. All are welcome.
Get Inspired! with quotes from our Inspiration Walk.
