mental health support
 


Compeer Niagara

Compeer Niagara is a non-profit, volunteer-based program in Niagara County, NY that serves adults and children who have a mental health diagnosis and limited social supports. Our aim is to improve the quality of life and self-esteem of our clients through social inclusion and enjoyable activities.

     

NOTE TO MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS:


Please read the first pages of the referral packets, as they contain important information regarding eligibility and guidelines for the Compeer Niagara Program. Before referring a client, please ensure interest in participation and basic understanding of the program. Thank you for considering Compeer Niagara for your client! The referral link can be found on the right-hand side of this page.

NOTE TO CASE MANAGERS:

At this time referrals must be approved/signed by your client's Mental Health Professional (counselor, therapist, PMD providing medication management or overview, etc.). Please suggest the program and/or supply information to your client's Mental Health Professional to review/sign. Ensure you are listed as a provider; we will obtain consent from your client and communicate with you as well. Please ensure your client's interest in participation and basic understanding of the program. Thank you for considering Compeer Niagara for your client! The referral link can be found on the right-hand side of this page.  

NOTE TO POTENTIAL MEMBERS:


Are you interested in joining Compeer Niagara? Feel free to explore the referral link found on the right-hand side of this page, it lists eligibility and guidelines. If you have questions, please reach out. If you are ready to move forward with the referral, contact your mental health professional to have them complete it. You are NOT able to complete the referral on your own behalf.

For more information, email Tara Porter, Compeer Niagara Director, at tporter@mhanc.com or call 716-433-3780 ext.307

NOTE TO PROSPECTIVE VOLUNTEERS:

We serve Niagara County community members who have a mental health diagnosis and limited social support. Not sure who that looks like? Odds are it is 1 of the 5 adults or 51% of the youth in the room. The people we know, love, and share a community with. People who want to be more social, have healthy, meaningful relationships and need the opportunity to know what that is. Our aim is to improve the quality of life and self-esteem of our members through social inclusion, enjoyable activities, and the experience of mutual trust in a non-clinical setting. Translation: Life is better with healthy friendships and having fun in the community! Spending time with others is a HUGE piece of mental wellness for everyone.

Below is how we make that happen!


Become a Volunteer: 

You will be matched with a youth or adult community member to establish a mentorship or friendship, spending time being social. Being social can be over the phone and in person. Your friendship looks like whatever you choose! Many volunteers will have a brief chat once a week with their friend and attend one of our Compeer Niagara monthly events together. Others will do things like their grocery shopping, share a meal, share a hobby- it really is whatever you and friend decide it to be!

Become an Activity Volunteer: 

You're unable to volunteer one to one but you'd still love to help? Bring a Compeer Niagara member to an activity! Transportation is a big barrier for many of our members. Pick up a member and come enjoy the activity- afterwards drive a member back home. We do all sorts of fun things from private functions like picnics and banquets to recreation in the community like cruises, festivals, and shows. No matter the event- the donation is an affordable $5.

Become the Activity: 

Do you have a talent, hobby, or interest you'd like to share? BE the activity! We will ensure the space, supplies, and support- you bring the talent, knowledge, or passion! Introducing our members to new talents, hobbies, skills, opportunities, or forms of entertainment- that's what we are all about!

Become an Awareness Advocate: 

SPREAD the WORD!! Do you know a bunch of awesome people? Work with a bunch of cool people? When you think "volunteer", does that one special person come to mind?
Perfect! Please tell everyone about Compeer Niagara! Are you able to hang fliers at work or somewhere else in the community? Are you on social media? Request a flier or "Like" and follow The Mental Health Association in Niagara County Inc. or share our Popl Link!



Become a Sponsor
:

A $5 donation ensures a member can attend an event! There are other options you can check out below.

Sponsorship Options

Ready to engage with your community in a FUN and FLEXIBLE way? Below are the steps to make that happen. Remember, these things take place at times best for you- we're flexible and fun too!
1.      Complete the Volunteer Application. *Can be found on the right-hand side of screen.
2.      Compeer Niagara will reach out for you to learn more about us, and us to learn more about you!
3.      Things you'll need at our meeting. Your Driver's License and proof of Auto Insurance Policy.
5.      A DMV Record Check, Background Check, & Fingerprinting will be obtained/paid for by the MHA.
6.      Once the above is obtained, you will receive informative training.
7.      Last, but not least... you get matched and the real fun begins!


Compeer is the remarkable story of encouraging the likelihood of recovery, made possible through the healing power of friendship.

Compeer recruits, screens, and matches trained volunteers and mentors for one-to-one supportive friendships with children and adults.
A "Compeer" is a companion who is also a peer or equal. Those diagnosed with a mental illness may experience the loss of self-esteem, the fear of failure, loneliness and the need to build support systems; this is where Compeer can help.

The goal of Compeer is to provide a caring friend who can offer support through social inclusion and mutual understanding.

Compeer participants must have a current mental health diagnosis and be referred by their Mental Health professional.

Compeer for Adults: Compeer for Adults matches adult participants and volunteers who share similar interests. The pairs talk and spend quality time together throughout the month. Compeer friends share, listen, and provide support.

Compeer for Adults also offers monthly group activities, which allow participants to explore new interests throughout the county, as well as form friendships with other participants and volunteers within the Compeer Program.

Compeer for Youth: Children who are in need of a positive adult role model and a trusted friend are matched with trained and screened volunteers for one-on-one friendship and mentorship. Each child and his or her match spend time together throughout the month enjoying each other's company and having fun!

Compeer for Youth also offers monthly group activities, which allow youth participants to try new, fun activities and explore different interests throughout the county, while spending quality time with other youth participants.

 Compeer encourages continual mental wellness through friendship, recreational experiences and opportunities, and social connections.







Documents

Adult Referral Packet

Youth Referral Packet

Volunteer Application

Compeer Niagara Monthly Update

Sponsorship

Compeer Niagara Brochure

The Couch Brochure

 

Here's what people are saying about Compeer Niagara...

From our Volunteers:

"Great program. Great people. Great service to the community."


"I like the flexibility of Compeer. My Compeer friend and I get together as our schedule and time allows. We can participate in an activity as it appeals to us. There is always a staff person we can turn to for advice."

From our Youth Participants:

"I like my match. We have fun things planned. I enjoy the activities and the fun things we do at Compeer."


"Keep doing what you're doing. I love the program."

From our Adult Participants:

"Having mental health issues can be so isolating, but I look forward to everything that I'm able to do in society now that I have a match to support me. Compeer, and specifically being matched, has given me more hope for the future."


"Compeer is very rewarding. More people need to go out of their comfort zone and try it."

From Mental Health Professionals:

"Compeer has helped to instill confidence in my client."


"I am impressed with the time spent with [my] client. [What I like best about Compeer Niagara is] the ability to spend time with clients and get them involved in activities personally tailored to their interests.

 

















MHA: The Information and Referral Specialists
Mental Health Association of Niagara County
36 Pine Street
Lockport, New York 14094
Phone: 716-433-3780
Email Us!
Sign up for our newsletter