A local nonprofit organization needs volunteers to spend an hour a week with a person who can use both friendship and guidance.
Compeer matches children and adults receiving mental health services with volunteers who befriend and mentor them. Although Compeer has existed in Emporia since 1986, not many people know about it, said Scott Edwards, the organization’s local program coordinator. The organization is part of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Flint Hills.
Close to 20 people are in the program now, and eight of them haven’t been matched with a volunteer. Edwards said some of the program members have been on the waiting list for a few years.
“They’re on the waiting list until we can find somebody who’s compatible to match up with them,” he said. “Since we don’t have any volunteers, we don’t have anybody who’s compatible right now.”
Compeer is similar in concept to Big Brothers Big Sisters, but Compeer’s members can be both children and adults, ranging from ages 3 to 100. Compeer volunteers spend one hour per week with the person they are matched with.
“(You) just do whatever, like go get some coffee, or go for a walk, or whatever you want to do,” Edwards said.
Every other month, Compeer sponsors a group activity for all of its members and volunteers, such as a movie, a bowling outing or an Emporia State basketball game.
Prospective volunteers fill out applications on which they list their likes, dislikes and hobbies.
Compeer then goes through the process of matching them with members.
People wishing to volunteer may fill out an application at the Compeer office at 1512 W. 6th Avenue, Suite F. Edwards can be reached at 342-3145.
“It takes a wide variety of people, actually,” Edwards said. “There’s people on the waiting list that have all kinds of interests. So it’s not just like you walk into a store and pick somebody out, and say you’re going with this person, you’re going with this person. You just can’t go shopping for volunteers. They have to actually want to do it.”
Once an application is filled out, Compeer interviews the prospective volunteer and does a background check, including references.
Compeer was founded in 1973 in Rochester, N.Y. It has programs in 33 states and some foreign countries.