Agency Details:

UMassDartmouth SouthCoast Compeer, A Faith in Action Program

Compeer matches trained, sensitive, caring volunteers in one-on-one supportive friendships with adolescents and adults with mental illness. As a Volunteer you will meet with your friend on a regular basis at mutually convenient times to share activities you both enjoy, such as movies, sports, shopping or coffee. The Compeer program is an adjunct to therapy and is based on the concept that a volunteer's friendship, advocacy and support can offset the loneliness and fear experienced by those suffering from mental illnesses. Can you give four hours a month to make friends and change lives?

Description:
UMass Dartmouth SouthCoast Compeer is a chapter of Compeer International. Compeer International, which began in 1972, has won many awards and has chapters throughout the US, Canada and Australia. It has been documented that a Compeer's friendship results in decreased use of inpatient and emergency services, better compliance with medication and therapy, less isolation and better self-esteem. Volunteers make significant differences in the lives of their Compeer friends. Friendship is powerful medicine.

History:
UMass Dartmouth SouthCoast Compeer is a new chapter of Compeer International and is a community service program of the University. Grants from Greater New Bedford United Way, City of New Bedford Block Grant,
UMass Dartmouth, the Carlisle Foundation of Framingham, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Faith in Action Program provide funding for the program.

Contact person: Cynthia Farnham, Director Of Volunteers, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: 508 999-9192

Address:

285 Old Westport Road North Dartmouth, MA 02747 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.umassd.edu/compeer

Last updated on December 4, 2008