COMPEER

Program: Compeer is an organization that provides friends for people in need of friends. They believe in the healing power of friendship. Sometimes just having someone to tell your troubles to takes a huge burden off of an individual. Their mission is to provide volunteer mentors (sort of like Big Brother or Sister). These mentors help the "consumers" get through hard times. The majority of the consumers have mental problems. Compeer was founded in 1973 in Rochester, NY. The organization in Buffalo started in 1985 and currently has a waiting list of 400. They have a staff of 10, and 86% of their budget goes to services, not administration. Their volunteers work a combined total of 35,000 hours per year. They serve 350 at risk youth, and 150 adults per year.

                                                                                By Jim Pawlicki