The Peer Helping Program

Our Peer Helper Initiative is our most effective strategy in supporting youth in staying resilient during their formative years. As youth separate and begin the process of establishing self identity, they turn most often to their peers for influence, guidance and support. By providing a constructive learning experience for youth, teaching them positive friendship skills they can effectively support each other through the sometimes complicated terrain of the adolescent world.

Volunteering – Leadership through Service

All the youth who join this program start learning about making a difference through giving their time to what they are passionate about. Youth in this program have given thousand of hours of volunteer time and are a huge part of what makes the teen department tick and what make the Gathering Place so successful.

The Team

This is where they practice the skills taught and where friendships are formed around healthy positive projects. Most projects involve large doses of team work. Bonding with your team, getting along with others and learning how to work together all get practiced as the year unfolds. 

The Training (36 hours )

All peer helpers are trained in how to be a good friend. The application of these skills is individual but the concepts are a starting point from which everyone works from. Expectations are formed and a level of skill at getting along and working together becomes set over time as everyone applies what they are learning.

The Projects

The projects are what bring everyone together in accomplishing change. The process involves an intense experiential learning environment where planning, budgeting; team work, meeting deadlines and following through are all part of the peer helping experience. 

The Retreat

The FUN! At the beginning we go away to meet each other and figure out what the projects will be (and to have some fun). At the end of the year we go away to have some FUN. The program itself has many highlights where the team gets together to bond and have fun, but at the end of the year the team goes away to enjoy themselves and to be rewarded for all the hard work. The youth in the program plan and fundraise where we go and for how long, so every year the location changes.

The T-shirt 

Every year the team designs a T-shirt. In the case where more than one design is presented the team votes.

For more information please contact Jessica Plante at
247 8020.