Young People need CARING MENTORS.

Supportive relationships can make a big difference in young lives. Our youth program pairs carefully screened adult volunteer mentors with children, teens, and young adults ages 5–21 living with mental health challenges. Compeer “matches” meet four hours a month in the Rochester community, taking in our region’s diverse cultural, recreational, and educational activities and opportunities.

Eligibility:

  • Children and young adults ages 5 to 21 who reside in Monroe County

  •   Voluntary participation by youth and family

  • Referrals accepted from any mental health provider, including school counselors and primary care physicians

Safety:

  • Volunteers undergo extensive background checks and screening processes with our staff

  •  Volunteers are connected with referring provider prior to meeting child and family

  • Volunteers are trained, monitored, and supported through the duration of their service

Activities:

  • Compeer-sponsored events (annual cookout, snowtubing, crafting, museum trips, and more)

  • Community partner discounts (RMSC, YMCA, Strong National Museum of Play and more)

Research conducted by the National Mentoring Partnership reveals that:

  • Students who meet regularly with their mentors are 52% less likely than their peers to skip a day of school and 37% less likely to skip a class.

  • Youth who meet regularly with their mentors are 46% less likely than their peers to start using illegal drugs and 27% less likely to start drinking.

  • 76% of at-risk young adults who had a mentor aspire to enroll in and graduate from college versus half of at-risk young adults who had no mentor. They are also more likely to be enrolled in college.

  • Mentoring reduces “depressive symptoms” and increases “social acceptance, academic attitudes, and grades.”

Want to Be a Mentor ? 

Did you know volunteering in a relationship-based program like Compeer can actually increase your lifespan and improve your health and wellness?  Volunteer with us and enrich two lives!

If you’re seeking to volunteer, be matched with a volunteer, or have other questions, connect with:

If you are interested in referring someone to our program, you may download, print, and send the referral form. Please note that the paperwork must be filled out and submitted by a Mental Health Professional.