LIBERTY TOWNSHIP — Compeer of Warren and Clinton Counties held its annual Compeer Friendship Week banquet at Max & Erma’s restaurant near Wilmington.
The Compeer banquet is celebrated during National Friendship/Volunteer Appreciation Week. It is a time to recognize the volunteers, Advisory Council members, peer specialist and clients who help make the program a success and to celebrate the achievements that the program has made in the past year.
Compeer helps people with mental illness live healthier, happier, more productive lives through the power of friendship. Mental illnesses such as depression, bipolar disorder and anxiety often produce isolation, low self-esteem and a loss of connection to the community, stated a Compeer media release.
Compeer helps people to regain that connection to others through providing non-judging, helpful support, said Michelle Rolf, Compeer director serving Warren and Clinton Counties.
This is done through one-to-one matches with community volunteers and through ongoing group activities that the program hosts in the two counties each month.
Attendees celebrated more than 1,500 contact hours between volunteers and clients, 23 skill-building activities, 20 enrichment activities, several outreach projects, the hiring of a new Certified Peer Specialist and much more for 2015.
This year’s theme was “Friendship is sunshine for the soul.” The evening started with each person sharing their name and what they enjoy most about Compeer. Several mentioned looking forward to the activities, having a strong group of friends, and feeling supported and cared for.
Compeer is a program of Mental Health America of Northern Kentucky and Southwest Ohio. It is funded by Mental Health Recovery Services of Warren & Clinton Counties, United Way of Clinton County and United Way of Warren County, as well as donations from local businesses.
If you want to know more about Compeer or about how you can make a difference in the life of someone with a mental illness, please call 513-562-2581 or send an email to [email protected].
If you would like more information about mental wellness, illnesses, support groups and more, please visit the website at www.mhankyswoh.org.
