COMPEER BUFFALO RALLIES TO PRESERVE SCHOOL MENTAL HEALTH MENTORING PROGRAM
Community Call to Action: Help Save Our School Mental Health Mentoring Program
Compeer Buffalo has launched a crucial fundraising campaign to sustain their vital School Mental Health Mentoring program. As district budgets face significant cuts, this program - which has supported 545 students since 2017 in five Western New school districts - is at risk.
Originally serving five school districts, Compeer is now focusing on securing $120,000 in funding for the 2024/2025 school year to support two key districts, Maryvale and Cheektowaga Central. This decision follows the successful integration of their program into Lake Shore’s budget and ensures continued and concentrated support where it’s most needed. With one in four youth struggling with mental health, the presence of caring mentors is vital.
Join the Movement to Preserve Student Wellbeing: Every Contribution Makes a Difference
"Compeer's school-based mentoring program fosters connections that ripple positive effects throughout our entire school community," shared a staff member from Cheektowaga Central District.
The transformative impact of the program is evident in the powerful testimonials from students. One student remarked, "This program helped me know how to manage my anxiety, talk to people without getting angry and get in less trouble at home and school. With Compeer here to help, I feel like a better version of myself."
Program Success by the Numbers:
95% of school social work and counseling staff recommend the program to their colleagues.
94% of students report improved self-esteem due to their Compeer mentors.
58% of students’ attendance improved by the fourth quarter.
62% of students showed increased math scores.
41% of students demonstrated improved reading scores.
99% of students would recommend the program to others.
93% of parents/guardians observed increased motivation in their children to attend school after participating in the program.
Why Your Support Matters:
Every donation empowers students to embrace their futures with courage, confidence, and resilience. Compeer Buffalo is calling on the community to become mental health champions by supporting this essential program.
How the Community Can Help:
To learn more about how you can donate to make a difference in the lives of students, please visit here.
About Compeer Buffalo
Since 1985, Compeer Buffalo has been providing social support in the form of friendships, to individuals (age 6 and up) who are striving for mental wellbeing. We know that friendship decreases loneliness and isolation, therefore we offer 1:1 and group friendship, social engagement activities, school-based mentoring, higher education mentoring, peer support friendship and mental health education in our community. Learn more here.