Our Story
What is Compeer?
Compeer is an award-winning, not-for-profit organization that has been serving the Chemung County area since 1992. Compeer's mission is "to use the power of friendship to help adults and children with mental health illnesses and children at-risk live happier, more productive lives via community volunteers."
A "Compeer" is a companion who is also a peer or equal who brightens an individual's life by helping to restore their feeling of happiness and success and by building self-esteem for those who live with mental health illnesses.
Compeer Programs:
In Chemung County, Compeer is continuously recruiting volunteers for three wonderful programs that provide friendship to adults and children. These programs include Circle of Friends, PAL, and Adult One-on-One.
Circle of Friends is a mentoring program that matches community volunteers with children in grades K-6 at all elementary schools within the Elmira City School District. Circle of Friends volunteers meet both individually and in small groups during lunchtime, twice a month from October to June. During this time, volunteers assist with homework, with skill-building activities, and with doing arts and crafts projects to share with the community, but most importantly they are spending quality time together, building a trusting friendship to last a lifetime.
PAL (Pupil Assistance through Learning) is a mentoring program for children, but is differentiated by its own mission to "build a child's self-esteem, that promotes learning and enable social, cultural and emotional growth". PAL is a one-on-one mentoring program that takes place outside of the school setting for students in K-12 that are referred by professionals who work with area youth within Chemung County. Community volunteers visit with their PAL for a minimum of four hours a month, for at least one year. They engage in community related activities like volunteering for local events and at area nursing homes; learning life-long skills such as cooking and sewing; and exploring cultural programs and events within the surrounding area. Most importantly, our PALs are having fun while, learning new skills, improving their socialization, and building a lasting friendship. PAL also offers a link, moving the child and mentor from the Circle of Friends program to the PAL program after 6th grade.
Adult One-on-One program is based on the original Compeer concept of community volunteers who are recruited, screened, trained and supported to be mentors for older adults (18 years and older) who are in treatment for mental health illnesses. Like the PAL program, volunteers are required to visit with their “friend” for a minimum of four hours a month, for at least one year, doing activities that are of interest and enjoyed by both parties. This program also offers a link, moving the child and mentor from the PAL program to the Adult One-on-One program after high school.
How to become a volunteer?
Compeer is one of the most rewarding, fun and flexible volunteering programs that welcomes volunteers from all walks of life and fits into anyone's current life style. We recruit, screen and train volunteers to provide emotionally supportive friendships through mentorship.
Volunteers are asked to make a commitment of at least 4 hours per month for at least one year.
We truly believe that volunteers are the “TRUE HEROES” of our program, giving of themselves each month so that adults and children in our area can benefit from a friend.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer or would like more information regarding the Compeer program, please contact:
Donna Taylor, Compeer Director
Phone: 607-733-2820 ext. 111
Email: dtaylor@familyservices.cc
Facebook: @ChemungCompeer
