Mission: The mission of the Mental Health Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania's three Compeer programs, serving Bucks, Chester, and Philadelphia counties, is to promote maximum recovery by consumers of mental health services by matching them in friendship/mentoring relationships with caring, trained adult volunteers in a culturally competent manner.

Description:
Persons in mental health recovery are matched in a one-to-one relationship with a friend/volunteer for at least four hours a month to talk on the phone, email, and/or participate in activities of shared interests. COMPEER friendships provide a new link to the local community outside the mental health system for those receiving services and offers them hope, socialization opportunities and support, COMPEER is considered an adjunct to therapy, is recognized by the APA as a "Best Practice" program and is based on the concept that a volunteer's friendship and support can offset the anxiety and isolation that accompany mental illnesses,

History:
COMPEER has been in Bucks County for six years and always has an ongoing effort to recruit volunteers. COMPEER, Inc. is an international non profit network that has been established since 1973. Bucks County COMPEER has matches that have been in place for more then the one year commitment, some have been four and five years and has improved and enriched so many lives throughout the community.

Contact person: Julie Pulvers, Program Manager, (phone), (email)
Office fax number: (215) 785-5079

Address:

10 Canal Street (Suite 230) Bristol, PA 19007 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.mhasp.org

Directions:

COMPEER is right off of Route 13, turn onto Beaver Street, continue to go straight past the Bristol train station and post office, turn onto Canal Street and the building is right there as you turn and has the phrase "Canal Works" on it in front. For maps or information, please see http://www.septa.com/

Miscellaneous Information

Are court referrals welcomed?
	No

Overall Experience   
It was well worth the effort

I have only done one-time and short term volunteering for a variety of agencies. posted on July 10, 2006