Every mental health consumer knows the loneliness and isolation that can accompany our illnesses. We often feel out of touch with the rest of the world and find it difficult to make friends. The Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services (JBFCS) offers a program, Compeer, that can provide a friend to a lonely consumer. Compeer matches volunteers one-to-one with mentally ill adults who are in need of a friend.
Compeer was developed in 1973, in Rochester, New York to address the social isolation that is so common among consumers. This program matched one member of the community with another member of the community, both of whom volunteered their time, both of whom were interested in developing a friendship, both of whom had something to give, but one of whom had a history of mental illness. Over time, the Compeer program has grown. There are now 120 Compeer programs internationally, including 26 in New York State.
Compeer has grown and spread all over the world because it works. Participants report higher self esteem and an improved sense of security. According to Lilly Tempelsman, JBFCS’s Compeer Program Coordinator, results of a yearly survey of program participants show that the rate of rehospitalization is decreased tremendously. Ms. Tempelsman often says, "Friendship is powerful medicine."
If you need a friend and would like to meet one through Compeer, your therapist must contact Ms. Tempelsman of JBFCS and make a referral. The therapist then receives an application to fill out and return to JBFCS. The application asks the therapist to describe the consumer’s background and interests. The therapist will meet the potential volunteer. The therapist is expected to communicate periodically with the volunteer about how the relationship is progresssing.
If you want to volunteer, you can contact Ms. Tempelsman of JBFCS at (212)632-4684. You will receive an application package. The application asks about one’s background and interest. One must also provide three written references. If you are a consumer and are interested in volunteering, one of your references must be from your therapist. Volunteers are then interviewed in depth and have an opportunity to ask questions. Volunteers also receive training from JBFCS. A match is then made between a volunteer and a client. The matches are same sex and are based on factors such as geographic location, age, interests and hobbies.
The Compeer volunteer makes a one year commitment to spend time with the client one to two hours a week. They might go out for coffee, to a movie, or take a walk in the park. Compeer volunteers serve as an adjunct to therapy. They are an additional support system for the client. The volunteer consults with the client’s therapist and receives ongoing support from the JBFCS Compeer Program Coordinator.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Friendship is the Best Medicine
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Saturday, November 19, 2011
Friendship is the Best Medicine
Every mental health consumer knows the loneliness and isolation that can accompany our illnesses. We often feel out of touch with the rest of the world and find it difficult to make friends. The Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services (JBFCS) offers a program, Compeer, that can provide a friend to a lonely consumer. Compeer matches volunteers one-to-one with mentally ill adults who are in need of a friend.
Compeer was developed in 1973, in Rochester, New York to address the social isolation that is so common among consumers. This program matched one member of the community with another member of the community, both of whom volunteered their time, both of whom were interested in developing a friendship, both of whom had something to give, but one of whom had a history of mental illness. Over time, the Compeer program has grown. There are now 120 Compeer programs internationally, including 26 in New York State.
Compeer has grown and spread all over the world because it works. Participants report higher self esteem and an improved sense of security. According to Lilly Tempelsman, JBFCS’s Compeer Program Coordinator, results of a yearly survey of program participants show that the rate of rehospitalization is decreased tremendously. Ms. Tempelsman often says, "Friendship is powerful medicine."
If you need a friend and would like to meet one through Compeer, your therapist must contact Ms. Tempelsman of JBFCS and make a referral. The therapist then receives an application to fill out and return to JBFCS. The application asks the therapist to describe the consumer’s background and interests. The therapist will meet the potential volunteer. The therapist is expected to communicate periodically with the volunteer about how the relationship is progresssing.
If you want to volunteer, you can contact Ms. Tempelsman of JBFCS at (212)632-4684. You will receive an application package. The application asks about one’s background and interest. One must also provide three written references. If you are a consumer and are interested in volunteering, one of your references must be from your therapist. Volunteers are then interviewed in depth and have an opportunity to ask questions. Volunteers also receive training from JBFCS. A match is then made between a volunteer and a client. The matches are same sex and are based on factors such as geographic location, age, interests and hobbies.
The Compeer volunteer makes a one year commitment to spend time with the client one to two hours a week. They might go out for coffee, to a movie, or take a walk in the park. Compeer volunteers serve as an adjunct to therapy. They are an additional support system for the client. The volunteer consults with the client’s therapist and receives ongoing support from the JBFCS Compeer Program Coordinator.
Compeer was developed in 1973, in Rochester, New York to address the social isolation that is so common among consumers. This program matched one member of the community with another member of the community, both of whom volunteered their time, both of whom were interested in developing a friendship, both of whom had something to give, but one of whom had a history of mental illness. Over time, the Compeer program has grown. There are now 120 Compeer programs internationally, including 26 in New York State.
Compeer has grown and spread all over the world because it works. Participants report higher self esteem and an improved sense of security. According to Lilly Tempelsman, JBFCS’s Compeer Program Coordinator, results of a yearly survey of program participants show that the rate of rehospitalization is decreased tremendously. Ms. Tempelsman often says, "Friendship is powerful medicine."
If you need a friend and would like to meet one through Compeer, your therapist must contact Ms. Tempelsman of JBFCS and make a referral. The therapist then receives an application to fill out and return to JBFCS. The application asks the therapist to describe the consumer’s background and interests. The therapist will meet the potential volunteer. The therapist is expected to communicate periodically with the volunteer about how the relationship is progresssing.
If you want to volunteer, you can contact Ms. Tempelsman of JBFCS at (212)632-4684. You will receive an application package. The application asks about one’s background and interest. One must also provide three written references. If you are a consumer and are interested in volunteering, one of your references must be from your therapist. Volunteers are then interviewed in depth and have an opportunity to ask questions. Volunteers also receive training from JBFCS. A match is then made between a volunteer and a client. The matches are same sex and are based on factors such as geographic location, age, interests and hobbies.
The Compeer volunteer makes a one year commitment to spend time with the client one to two hours a week. They might go out for coffee, to a movie, or take a walk in the park. Compeer volunteers serve as an adjunct to therapy. They are an additional support system for the client. The volunteer consults with the client’s therapist and receives ongoing support from the JBFCS Compeer Program Coordinator.
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