Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities
with Compeer Lancaster

The mission of Compeer Lancaster is to improve the quality of life for people recovering from mental illness through the power and gift of friendship.

Compeer Lancaster matches community volunteers with adult individuals recovering from mental illness in One-to-One Friendships.  Volunteers spend 4 hours each month for at least 1 year with their friend doing recreational, social, and educational activities enjoyed by both people.  Many matches explore new restaurants, attend sporting events or plays, walk in the park, go to the movies, or relax over a cup of coffee together.  For some friends, this friendship is one of a few connections they have to the community.  This friendship helps to reduce loneliness, isolation and provides fun activities to get them “out of the house.”                 

Another program offered is Compeer Calling, which is an interim service for the friends waiting for a matched friendship.  A Calling Volunteer makes a weekly 15-minute phone call to a friend, chatting about their day, and how they are doing.  This service helps the friends immensely as they wait to be matched.

How to Get Involved:  Volunteers must attend a free three-hour training session and provide a background check (no fee), proof of a driver’s license, and two references.  They are also interviewed and then choose their friend from several anonymous profiles.  (Friends must be referred by a mental health professional and they must continue working with this professional.  They are carefully screened and interviewed by our Volunteer Coordinator.)  Once a choice is made, they can contact the mental health professional to learn more about their friend.  Introductions are made by Compeer and the friendship begins! Compeer Lancaster provides ongoing support to the matches as needed.

The following opportunities are available for immediate participation.  Don’t delay!  If you have the time, talent, and availability to assist, please consider helping make a difference in someone’s life in the following ways:

• Become a “match” for a Compeer friend
• Call a friend as a Calling Volunteer
• Volunteer at one or more of our events or fundraisers
• Ride for Compeer Lancaster or support a rider in the Dream Ride scheduled every July

For more information about Compeer Lancaster, – check out their website.  To find out more about these volunteer opportunities, please contact the LYP Community Service committee.