Be a friend to a veteran.

VETERAN VOLUNTEER JOB

Importance of Position:

Befriending a Veteran managing mental health issues, and offering regularly-scheduled, supportive friendship is vital for those recovering from mental illness; you help them to enjoy a more productive life, prevent costly rehospitalization, promote their recovery and give them a chance to experience camaraderie with someone who has walked a mile in their boots. Your time and life experience are extremely valuable to friends that are utilizing mental health and recovery services.

Qualifications:

Military service

Positive motivation to be of assistance to another Veteran

Good listening skills

Reliable - keeps commitments

Sensitive to the needs of the person who will be your CompeerCORPS Participant

Reports to: CompeerCORPS Coordinator and/or Compeer Program Director

Responsibilities:

Complete one CompeerCORPS Orientation session

Establish & maintain friendship with your matched Veteran of the same gender

Submit required monthly report to Compeer Office

Training Provided:

Orientation regarding mental health diagnoses, types of treatments, communication skills (listening, empathy, etc.,), boundaries, and expectations. Orientation available in person and virtually online!

Benefits of Volunteering:

Make a new friend while being of service

Make a real difference in the life of a Veteran who has a mental illness

Opportunity to achieve personal goals

Time Commitment:

Four (4) hours per month, at least weekly contact with friend, in person or by phone

Length of Commitment:

A minimum of one year

Grounds for Termination:

Failure to carry out assigned responsibilities or work within the program guidelines

Contact Person :

CompeerCORPS Coordinator at (610) 541-0790

WAYS TO VOLUNTEER

1) One-to-One Friendship - 4 hours a month

2) Compeer Calling Volunteer - 10-15 minutes a week

3) E-Buddy Volunteer - contact primarily through email, texting, and/or electronic communication

4) Pen Pal - written correspondence ( letters, cards ) at least twice year month to offer support

5) Member of Compeer Advisory Board - volunteer serves to help on the Compeer Advisory Board to give input and decision making. Advisors meet four times a year.

6) Donation and Fundraising volunteer

7) Plan different events for the veterans community

8) Help with podcast planning - Untold Valor Podcast Podcast - Voice & Vision, Inc. (voiceandvisioninc.org)

Please complete the Volunteer application by clicking the link below https://compeerfriends.org/volunteer-form-2 . To arrange a volunteer orientation, please respond with some dates and times you are available to meet in person or virtually online. Please call us at (610) 541-0790 or email Rob Yannuzzi at roby@voiceandvisioninc.org to set a volunteer orientation today. Please visit the link provided to learn more about the healing power of friendship https://vimeo.com/363621087