Compeer Utica is a mentoring program hosted by the Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc. We serve both children and adults, throughout Oneida and Herkimer counties, who are affected by mental health and substance abuse disorders. The Compeer program matches community volunteers to serve as supportive friends to those youths and adults, with the goal being to empower and support them in their journey towards recovery. Our programs include:

• One-to-One Youth Program: volunteers are matched with youths that are either at risk or affected by a mental health disorder
• One-to-One Adult Friendship Program: volunteers are matched with adults suffering from a mental health disorder
• Vet-to-Vet: veteran volunteers are matched with other veterans who are either receiving mental health services and/or are in need of a supportive friend.
• GrandPeer Program: volunteers are matched with adults living in nursing homes or independent living facilities
• Compeer Calling/E-buddies: volunteers are connected to their friend via phone/text or via email

In order to adhere to the CDC's social distancing guidelines, all our programs are currently being conducted remotely via zoom, phone and email. Being in quarantine is hard on everyone, especially on those affected with mental health disorders. Liza M. Wiemer once said that "One HELLO? can change a life. One HELLO? can save a life." Here ,at Compeer Utica, we also believe in the power of friendship! We only ask for FOUR hours monthly.

Join Compeer Utica, today! It only takes one hour a week to make an impact in somebody’s life!