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Peer Assistance | Mentoring | Coaching | Join the Peer Resources Network
The Peer News (January 9, 2006)
TOPICS 1. Peer Power Contributes to Health and Well-Being The more positive relationships that teenagers have the better their physical and mental health. This was the conclusion of a recent report, "Improving the Health of Young Canadians, 2005." The study explored the relationship between five positive "assets" - parental nurturing, parental monitoring, school engagement, volunteerism and peer connectedness - and the health behaviours and outcomes of Canadian teens. Contrary to the typical media portrayal of the majority of youth as engaged in a variety of problem behaviours, this report showed that the vast majority of young people are active as volunteers in their communities, maintain strong, positive relationships with their parents, and perceive themselves as having considerable self-worth. The researchers found that the more teens were engaged at home, school, and within their communities, the less likely they were to drink, take drugs or smoke. Of the five assets, peer connectedness was reported as being at the highest level by the largest percentage of teens (80 percent). A significant element of this study is that it provides an empirically demonstrated link between relationships and health. For many years, peer assistance and peer mentoring program leaders working with youth believed that such a link existed and this study adds scientific evidence of this connection. The report underscores the importance of peer work for teens not just because of the implications it has for the peer assistant's health and self-esteem, but also because of the implications it has for peers to reach out to others and connect them to positive peer influence. With training and supervision, teen peer assistants can develop relationships with teens who might be at-risk for engaging in unhealthy or hi-risk behaviours. Many peer programs focus directly on health issues. Known mostly as "peer education" services, these programs target specific areas such as HIV/AIDS prevention, substance abuse prevention, or reducing sexually transmitted disease. Two examples of health-based peer education programs are Peer Resources Network members, SMARTRISK, an Ontario-based non-profit organization dedicated to injury prevention and the United World College (UWC) of South East Asia in Singapore. SMARTRISK has created a peer leadership and peer education model known as the "No Regrets Project" that focuses on injury prevention and related-risk activities. The project was initiated in five high schools in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario and New Brunswick. Results of their project have so far demonstrated "gains in student knowledge about injury prevention; improvements in attitudes and beliefs associated with personal responsibility for responsible choices and smart risk-taking and evidence of using strategies to address potentially high-risk behaviours (such as wearing protective gear while at work and having a plan to get home from a party without riding with someone impaired)." UWC trains and supervises students who volunteer for a two to three year commitment as members of the peer education team. One of the events they created last year was Operation Red, an AIDS awareness week. Not content to only distribute pamphlets and educational materials, the peer educators designed a number of interactive activities to engage students throughout the College to increase their understanding of the extent of AIDS and learn appropriate means of prevention. Peer connectedness is not just a health benefit for teens. Research by two British sociologists describes how a continuum of connections are necessary to provide adults with the emotional and practical support to succeed in day-to-day activities. The authors' research showed that it take a network of approximately 18 close friends and relatives to provide the average person with what they need to reduce life stress. Such networks can include siblings as well as people who become close for a short-time because of a shared interest. A 2001 Gallup poll, cited by Judith Timson, revealed that, for most companies, profitability and customer loyalty were "strongly associated with a high incidence of best friends in the workplace." While close friendships at work is not the only factor that contributes to employee retention, many employees will jump jobs because co-worker relationships never go beyond the superficial. If on-the-job friendships and volunteering have a similar impact on employee health as peer connectedness and engaging in volunteer work have for teen health, then organizations that encourage such fraternization and mentoring will likely save millions of dollars in health, turnover, and absentee costs. References: Pahl, R. and Pevalin, D.J. (September, 2005). Between family and friends: A longitudinal study of friendship choice. The British Journal of Sociology, 56, 3, 433. Timson, J. (October 19, 2005). The power of friends at work. Globe and Mail, C2. "There are many ways to measure success; not the least of which is the way your child describes you when talking to a friend." ~ Grey Owl ~ NAVIGATE WITH THE LATEST ISSUE OF COMPASS The next issue of our premier publication, Compass: A Magazine for Peer Assistance, Mentorship and Coaching is ready for distribution to members of the Peer Resources Network. Members can download the latest copy at www.peer.ca/Projects/Compass18.pdf. (The download requires a PRN member's userid and password. Contact Rey Carr at rcarr@peer.ca or call 1.800.567.3700, if access information is required. To view or print a copy of this issue requires Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available at no cost from Adobe.) The Spring, 2006 issue contains the following articles:
Compass: A Magazine for Peer Assistance, Mentorship and Coaching is the only peer-reviewed publication that is advertising-free and includes articles on peer assistance, mentorship and coaching. This online issue also include active links to all sources mentioned in the articles as well active links to contact all authors. "Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born." ~ Anais Ninl ~ ATTEND A PEER CONFERENCE OR RELATED EVENT Peer Helping/Peer Counseling/Peer Education Workshop 19th Annual Peer Assistance and Leadership (PAL) High School Leadership Conference 5th Annual National Peer Support Conference California Association of Peer Programs 2006 Adult Institute Pomona Peer Resources Middle School Conference Pomona Peer Resources High School Conference Peer Helping/Peer Counseling/Peer Education Workshop For additional peer conferences, training workshops or events as well as to learn about what you missed, go to http://www.peer.ca/peerevents.html. "A friend is a gift we give ourselves." ~ Grey Owl ~ RESEARCH and RESOURCES TO STRENGTHEN PEER PRACTICE Cunningham, C.E., Cunningham, L.J., Martorelli, V., Tran, A., Young, J. and Zacharias, R. (1998). The effects of primary division, student-mediated conflict resolution programs on playground aggression. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 39, 5, 653-662.
Dean, N. and Harper, C. (2005). Succeeding in reading: Complete cross-age tutoring program. Gainsville, FL: Maupin House.
Flecknoe, M. (2005). What does anyone know about peer mediation? Improving Schools, 8, 3, 221-235.
Varenhorst, B. (2003). An asset builder's guide to training peer helpers: Fifteen sessions on communication, assertiveness, and decision-making skills. Minneapolis, MN: Search Institute.
"What is a friend? A single soul dwelling in two bodies." ~ Aristotle ~ BROCHURE LISTS PEER PROGRAM STANDARDS AND BOUNDARIES AA newly revised version of the Peer Helping Information for Parents and Professionals print brochure is now available to members of the Peer Resources Network. The brochure includes (1) a description of national peer program standards; (2) the boundaries associated with peer work (what is and isn't peer helping); (3) examples of roles peers can play; (4) contact resources for information about peer work; and (5) a blank space where local peer leaders can enter their own contact information. Peer Resources Network members may order bulk copies for distribution to parents, students, staff or other interested or relevant groups. To become a member of the Peer Resources Network, go to http://www.peer.ca/PRN.html "Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for awhile and leave footprints on our hearts. And we are never, ever the same." ~ Grey Owl ~ JOIN THE PEER RESOURCES NETWORK Do the quotes placed in this newsletter intrigue you? Would you like to know more about the people quoted or read more of what they have to say? Members of the Peer Resources Network receive links and more details regarding each quote when they receive the monthly Peer Bulletin. In addition Peer Resources Network members receive toll-free coaching and consultation for all peer program development issues as an additional benefit of membership. Members also receive Compass: A Magazine for Peer Assistance, Mentorship and Coaching. This magazine has become the only advertising-free, professional, peer-reviewed publication on mentoring, and is filled with timely articles and practical suggestions from experienced peer program leaders. The Peer Resources Network is a non-profit organization and is sustained through memberships. The low fee for a one-year individual membership is $75.00 and the fee for an institutional membership, which allows up to five people to share a full membership, is $140.00 for a year. We even have a student rate of $32.10/year. For more details on the benefits as well as a secure online form to sign-up, go to http://www.mentors.ca/PRN.html. "Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship." ~ Rick Blaine ~ CHAMPIONS FOR PEER ASSISTANCE FUNDING: (2) AmeriCorps State and National Grant Program is now available for 2006 to initiate, improve, or expand the ability of organizations and communities to provide services to address local unmet environmental, educational, public safety (including disaster preparedness and response), or other human needs. AmeriCorps awards member positions and program operating funds to public and private nonprofit organizations with goals that are in accord with this mission. Grants support organizations that use volunteer service as a strategy for addressing national and community needs, while fostering an ethic of civic responsibility, and connecting Americans of all ages and backgrounds with opportunities to serve their communities and country. More than one million dollars is being made available. The deadline for most applications is February 14, 2006. Instructions, regulations and other relevant details are available online. (3) The National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) is providing Research Fellowships for eligible persons to conduct research about the rehabilitation of individuals. One of the various ways the Fellowship can be implemented is through determining the best strategies, such as using peer support, to improve rehabilitation outcomes for under-served populations. Fellowships are valued at approximately $75,000US. The deadline for applications is January 30, 2006. Details are available online. (4) NIDRR is also providing funding for methods, procedures, and rehabilitation technology such as using peer assistance to maximize full inclusion and integration into society, employment, independent living, family support, and economic and social self-sufficiency of individuals with disabilities, especially individuals with the most severe disabilities. Twenty-five projects are expected to be funded averaging about $147,500 per project. The deadline for applications is February 6, 2006. Details are available online. Programs: In Ukiah, California Nokomis Elementary School has created a conflict manager program where more than 50 students from grades four to six receive six hours of training and pass an oral exam to become peer mediators. The conflict managers have helped students to decrease aggressive behaviour, name calling and other disputes, and the school administration has noticed a significant reduction in the number of student referrals to their offices. (Source: udjlc@pacific.net) "Friendship is a pretty full-time occupation if you really are friendly with somebody." ~ Truman Capote~ NATIONAL PEER SUPPORT CONFERENCE GAINS MOMENTUM The University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) in Prince George, British Columbia plays host to the National Peer Support Conference, January 27-29, 2006. This conference is designed to meet the needs of post secondary peer helpers in universities and colleges. The keynote address will be provided by Dr. Lewis Mehl-Madronna, M.D., Ph.D., the author of Coyote Medicine, Coyote Healing, and Coyote Wisdom. To learn more about him, go to his website. Lewis is also going to be available throughout the conference to mentor students. Other guest speakers include Dr. Sherry Beaumont (Psychology), presenting on Adult Resilience, Earl Henderson, presenting the Medicine Wheel, and Alden Pompana will be offering a traditional talking circle. Sessions will focus on the topics of two-spirited people and related lifestyle issues; how to start a bicultural peer counselling program; peer work and HIV and STD's; the arts/story-telling and the "helping" relationship, and more. This conference picks up where the National Peer Support Conference at the University of Ottawa left-off last year. (Note: Conference organizers are seeking a conference site for 2007.) The registration fee of $260.00 (Canadian) includes a two-night stay at the Ramada Inn in Prince George, BC, four meals and snacks, including the banquet Saturday night, and return transportation to UNBC from the hotel once each day on chartered tour buses. If you are a local student or local professional and wish to attend, your registration fee for all or part of the conference is $60.00. A discount off regular price airfares is available with West Jet (use conference code: QC#3290). For a copy of the complete schedule or a registration form, contact Sandra MacDonald at e-mail: macdonas@unbc.ca or call (250) 960-5962. The Peer News has been provided by Peer Resources. All items in this publication are copyrighted by Peer Resources. Subscriptions are free and can be obtained by sending an email to info@peer.ca. To become a member of the Peer Resources Network and receive a similar monthly publication as well as a print magazine on peer assistance, mentorship and coaching, visit http://www.peer.ca/PRN.html or call 1.800.567.3700 in North America or 1.250.595.3503 outside of North America. To be removed from this mailing list send an email to info@peer.ca. Please feel free to pass this newsletter on to a colleague. |
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