[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 43 (Tuesday, April 19, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: April 19, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
 COMPEER PROGRAMS--COMPEER FRIENDSHIP WEEK, APRIL 17 TO APRIL 23, 1994

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                     HON. LOUISE McINTOSH SLAUGHTER

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 19, 1994

  Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, this year 117 Compeer programs across the 
Nation will celebrate Compeer Friendship Week from April 17, to April 
24, 1994. The goal of Compeer Friendship Week is to provide an 
opportunity for each Compeer program to increase its name recognition, 
gain community support, and recruit volunteers. Compeer programs will 
be hosting many special events during this week.
  The Compeer Program, which originated in my home district of 
Rochester, NY, is now in its 21st year of existence in Rochester and 
11th year nationwide. Begun as an adopt-a-patient program at the 
Rochester Psychiatric Center in 1973, Compeer matches caring, 
sensitive, and trained volunteers to those who are isolated, lonely, or 
who, because of mental illness, experience difficulty in coping. 
Compeer is based on the concept that, through the sharing of friendship 
with clients, volunteers can offset the sometime systemized isolation 
and loneliness of the mentally ill, and relieve families of their 
continuous focus on care.
  In the past, the mentally ill have been discharged into communities 
where, in theory, they would lead richer, more productive lives than 
they would in institutions. The reality proves otherwise. People who 
suffer from illness, who are living both in and out of hospitals, 
suffer from isolation and loneliness. The majority lack a support 
system of either friends or family.
  Compeer has helped to change this. A unique partnership between 
volunteer, client, therapist, and Compeer staff has enabled hundreds to 
become fully integrated into society as mentally and emotionally 
healthy individuals. In an era of health care cost containment, 
decreased funding for mental illness, skyrocketing costs of psychiatric 
hospitalizations, and deteriorating traditional support systems, 
Compeer addressed a national problem by providing cost-effective 
utilization of volunteers as an adjunct to therapy. Compeer has made a 
tremendous difference in our country--fostering and nurturing new 
friendships, filling the gaps of loneliness, and building bridges of 
understanding and hope.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating Compeer Friendship Week 
from April 17 to April 24, 1994, and in congratulating the volunteers, 
clients, therapists, and staff of Compeer for their selfless and 
tireless efforts.

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