Compeer is a remarkable story of personal change brought about by one good friend. Friendship is given a whole new meaning. An individual’s life is filled with hope, trust, and empowerment. The road to recovery becomes possible.

Compeer International was founded in 1973 and has programs in the U.S., Canada, and Australia. It has been recognized nationally as a pioneer in mental health advocacy. It is a nonprofit organization that matches community volunteers with adults and children receiving mental health services.

The Compeer Program works in the community to:
• Reduce hospitalization
• Reduce the stigma associated with mental illness
• Enhance public understanding and acceptance of mental illness
• Provide alternatives to unhealthy behavior

Compeer Friendships help individuals with mental illness improve their:
• Communication skills
• Independence and self-sufficiency
• Sense of security and self-esteem
• Family and social relationships

The local program was established in 1989 in Bloomsburg. It serves Columbia, Montour, Snyder, Union and Northumberland Counties. Some friendships have been together for 16, 13, 12, 11, 10 and 9 years.

Compeer Visiting
Compassionate, caring volunteers visit with their friends for a minimum of 2 hours per month.

Compeer Calling
Compeer volunteers can choose to become “telephone companions.”

Group Compeer
A group of volunteers interacts with mental health consumers in staff supervised homes providing friendship.

Compeer Pen Pal
Volunteers exchange letters with their friends. This provides an excellent opportunity for self-expression through the written word.

Camp Compeer
Allows children with mental health disabilities to participate in a camp setting with those who have similar problems.

You and a friend can do things you already enjoy – movies, sports, eating out, or shopping.

Choose to spend time with someone younger, older, or your own age.

Flexibility to fit your current schedule.

Volunteers range in age from 18 to 90.

Clients range in age from 7 to 90.