We are all helpers at one time or another, but some people are sought out more frequently than others. Perhaps they are especially good listeners, or warm, or insightful. Natural Helpers uses this network to help young people help their friends with everyday problems, refer serious problems to trained professionals and take good care of themselves. The Natural Helpers program consists of a unique survey process to identify this existing helping network. Those people selected as Natural Helpers are asked to participate in a training to improve their helping skills.
Training is conducted in a retreat setting for three days.
Participants focus on how to help their friends with everyday problems, accept their own limitations, refer serious problems to trained professionals and take good care of themselves. After the retreat, students participate in Ongoing Training in their schools. Ongoing Training provides Natural Helpers with more skills and topical information. Students involved in Ongoing Training also receive opportunities to discuss specific situations with adult leaders and to make positive contributions to their schools and communities. Prevent some of the problems of adolescence.