Compeer of Greater Buffalo Wins National Award

2012 Lilly Reintegration Award for Social Support will be given to honored Compeer senior services program on April 16 in Chicago

BUFFALO, N.Y., March 26, 2012-Compeer for Seniors, an older adult service of Compeer Greater Buffalo, is the winner of the 2012 Lilly Reintegration Award for Social Support, given this year in partnership with the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare. The award presentation to Compeer Greater Buffalo will occur at the Celebration of Excellence Awards Dinner on Monday, April 16 at the Hilton Chicago, Chicago, Ill. Compeer Executive Director Michele Brown and Director of Senior Services Sarah Stimm will be guests at the celebration as part of the award.

Compeer for Seniors has been providing services to elders in Erie County since 1985. As a contract agency of the Erie County Department of Mental Health, Compeer is currently the largest provider of best practice and evidence-based friendship services to elders with a mental health diagnosis in Erie County. The agency provides a unique service to the community and is presently serving close to 100 seniors annually.

"We are thrilled to be recognized for our remarkable service which helps keep our aging seniors independent, healthy, and happy for as long as possible," said Brown. "This achievement signifies the value of our work in the community, and acknowledges the wonderful commitment of our program volunteers and the healing power of friendship."

The Reintegration Awards is a program supported since 1997 by Eli Lilly and Company. This annual award program celebrates the achievements of those in the community who dedicate themselves to improving the lives of individuals with serious mental illnesses. Winners receive a$10,000 grant, an inscribed trophy, airfare and hotel expenses for the awardee and a guest, and two complimentary tickets to the celebration.

For more on the celebration, visit:
www.thenationalcouncil.org/cs/reintegration_and_national_council_awards_of_excellence.

Founded in 1985, Compeer of Greater Buffalo (www.compeerbuffalo.org) began with the belief that "friendship is powerful medicine." Michele Brown, who started the Compeer program in Buffalo, is its Executive Director. Compeer matches professionally screened and trained volunteers and mentors in one-to-one friendship and mentoring relationships with children, adults, and seniors striving for good mental health. Compeer friends and mentors come from every walk of life. Volunteers make a significant and proven impact upon the lives of those they befriend by providing social support, being positive role models and helping engage their friend in a variety of different community and recreational activities. The ever-growing program currently has 4 different venues of volunteering: Compeer for Kids, Compeer for Adults, Compeer for Seniors, and a new service, Compeer Vet2Vet for military veterans.

The National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare and its member organizations serve the nation's most vulnerable citizens- more than 6 million adults and children with mental illnesses and addiction disorders. Their website states they are committed to providing comprehensive, quality care that affords every opportunity for recovery and inclusion in all aspects of community life. (www.thenationalcouncil.org)

The National Council honors annually distinguished behavioral healthcare individuals and organizations that have set themselves apart through its Awards of Excellence - the most prestigious awards in behavioral healthcare. Honorees reflect the most innovative and inspirational work happening in behavioral healthcare organizations across the country - staff, board leadership, volunteers, consumers, families, and community partners who are changing the lives of children, adults, and families with mental illnesses and addiction disorders. Featured at the National Council Conference each spring, the Awards of Excellence celebration provides an opportunity for these honorees to be recognized by their peers and other distinguished guests.

In 2012, the National Council is also partnering with Lilly to run the Reintegration Awards program, which celebrates the achievements of those in the community who dedicate themselves to improving the lives of individuals with serious mental illnesses, and the achievements of those living with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder who battle tremendous odds to improve their own lives and the lives of their peers. The Reintegration Awards honor achievement in nine categories, including treatment teams, programs, and services that support people living with severe mental illness as well as local and national efforts to improve services and decrease the stigma of mental illness.