FOR INFORMATION ON BECOMING A SENIOR PEER COUNSELOR
Being a Senior Peer Counselor provides a fulfilling experience to the volunteer. It offers a new sense of identity and increased self-esteem. It encourages personal growth and development through the opportunity to master new skills. In addition it provides an opportunity to make new friends thus expanding the social supports and establishes new links with the community.

Men and women, age 55 and over are eligible to become Senior Peer Counselors. Senior Peer Counseling volunteers receive 60 hours of free training. In this training they receive all the skills needed to help older adults attain optimum well-being, maintain independence, and enhance life satisfaction. Counselors are chosen for their qualities of personal warmth, empathy, genuineness, respect for others, and varied life experiences. The counselors serve as positive role models by demonstrating that seniors can continue to contribute to their community and can enjoy an active life.

After graduating from training, counselors are assigned a maximum of three clients to be seen once a week for one hour. Counselors then begin attending weekly two-hour supervision and continuing education sessions.

For more information call 805-547-7025 Ext 105. Or

Email to seniorpeer@wilshirehcs.org