Welcome to AHS Peer Help

It’s a new year and for some, a new school. Maybe you’ve noticed the competitive attitude in high school, the stress of a new school, new friends, or maybe you’re just trying to find your way around. Peer Help can make your life easier in all of these situations.

Peer help started in 2006 when a few interested students wanted to start a program that helped kids talk about their worries or stresses with peers who were experiencing similar situations. Peer Help is designed to show students that there are other kids out there with similar problems.

Peer Help addresses issues such as school, friends, stress, home life, college, and much more. Shelly Ball, the head of the program says, “All kids are Peer Helpers” and she goes on to say that Peer Help is a program that allows kids to help but shows them how to help in a more effective way. She goes on to tell what she thinks of Peer Help and what she sees for its future: “One thing that is unique [about Peer Help] is that students have created their goals and…It wasn’t some grant the government proposed. [And in the future] Some group…will shape it differently.”

This program is totally confidential; which means none of your information will be given out for any reason (unless you plan to hurt yourself or others).

Peer Help includes students from all grade levels. These dedicated kids spend one lunch a week and each advisory to practice and learn skills that will help them communicate and understand you better. One Peer Helper, Cinthia Simon gives her outlook for Peer Help. She says, “Peer Help has really progressed in the past few months, and I know it’ll make a huge difference [in the future].”

Peer Help gives presentations to freshmen classes so be sure to look out for them and try to get to know them. They can provide insight about the school and even become your close friends.

Anyone who wants to talk, vent, meet new people, or learn about the ins and outs of high school can sign up for a session with one of Albany High’s Peer Helpers.

You can pick up a request for Peer Help in the counseling office (from Mrs. Grogans) or ask Shelly Ball in room 111. The kids in Peer Help are kids just like you and me who want to reach out and help fellow students, because after all, everyone needs a hand once and a while.

One Response

1. 11:51 AM on October 5th, 2007Keng:

   PEER HELPERS ARE AWESOME!!!

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