The UMass Dartmouth Connection
UMass Dartmouth's mission includes teaching, research and public service. The University sponsors our chapter of Compeer as part of its public service mission.
The University is a treasure chest of talent and energy. Our chapter of Compeer has received much appreciated and valuable assistance from the following departments and individual staff and faculty:
- Rachel Cocroft, Publications
- Maeve Hickok, New and Information
- Manny Pereira and Dee Confar, Photographics
- Melissa Pacheco, Grants Office
- Don King, Web Design
- Prof. Jack Conboy, Psychology Department
- Prof. Linus Travers, English Department
- Matt Roy, Management Department
Their assistance and expertise in developing publicity materials, writing grants, and program development proved invaluable.
Students are also a source of talent and energy for Compeer. In turn, Compeer offers students a unique and valuable opportunity for service, career exploration, skill development, and exposure to the non-profit workplace.
Students in business management and grantwriting classes have applied their skills to helping Compeer as part of their course work. Individual students from business and psychology have served as program interns, helping the program coordinator with all the tasks necessary for running the program, and earning academic credit in the process. Finally, large numbers of students have participated as Compeers. Students may do this on a purely volunteer basis or they may earn 1 academic credit per semester, as long as they have sophomore standing or above. We start student Compeers off with a group match. In pairs they visit a local community residence to socialize or engage in recreational activities such as cards, crafts, music, basketball, etc. At least once a semester they invite their friends to an on-campus event. After a year with the program, students may chose to graduate to a one-to-one match, which are always of the same gender. They may request to be matched with one of their friends from the group home or to be assigned to someone living independently or with their family.
Compeer provides students majoring in psychology, social work, and nursing with a rewarding volunteer experience that gives them exposure to persons with serious and persistent mental illness and to the mental health system. Many of our compeer students seek careers and further education working with this population. Student in these fields have reported job offers and job interviews that came to them as a direct result of their Compeer experience.
Students in pre-med, pre-law, and criminal justice tracks will experience frequent contact with persons with mental illness in their chosen professions. The Compeer experience allows them to see, through the eyes of their Compeer friend, the difficulties involved in accessing services and struggling to recover and reengage with life.
Last Updated On: 11/27/06
