[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 14 (Tuesday, January 24, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E170]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                 COMPEER, INC. COMPEER FRIENDSHIP WEEK

                                 ______


                     HON. LOUISE McINTOSH SLAUGHTER

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 24, 1995
  Mrs. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, this year 117 Compeer programs across 
the Nation will celebrate Compeer Friendship Week from April 23 to 
April 29, 1995. 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 22nd year of existence in Rochester, and 
its 12th 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 persons 
who, because of a mental illness, experience difficulty in coping. 
Compeer is based on the concept that, through the sharing of 
friendship, volunteers can offset the sometimes systematized isolation 
and loneliness of those diagnosed with mental illnesses, and relieve 
families of their continuous focus on care.
  In the past, persons with a mental illness 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 23 to April 29, 1995, and in congratulating the volunteers, 
clients, therapists, and staff of Compeer for their selfless and 
tireless efforts.


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