Office of the Mayor
Proclamation
Lawrence, Kansas
WHEREAS: Mental illnesses have been described as the loneliest illness in the world because of the isolation, fear, and prejudice experienced by individuals diagnosed with mental illnesses; and
WHEREAS: It has been demonstrated that individuals who have the social and emotional support of family and friends experience a higher rate of recovery and generally feel happier and more confident; and
WHEREAS: Compeer Volunteers at Bert Nash Mental Health Center utilize their compassion, talents, skills, and time to improve the quality of life and daily functioning of individuals diagnosed with mental illnesses in our community; and
WHEREAS: Each Compeer Volunteer offers companionship, understanding, and acceptance on a consistent basis to an individual recovering from a mental illness; and
WHEREAS: Since the first Compeer match was made in our community in 1989, more than two hundred individuals have been matched in one-to-one relationships with Compeer volunteers and twenty more have been reached in other Compeer services; and
WHEREAS: During the past year, Compeer Volunteers have spent a total of 3,120 hours with their friends;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Mike Rundle, Mayor of the City of Lawrence, Kansas, do hereby proclaim April 18 – 24 to be
in Lawrence, Kansas, and urge my fellow citizens to join the Compeer effort in eliminating stigma and replacing misconceptions with understanding and compassion.
April 16, 2004