Peer support involves connecting survivors in need of help with others who have overcome a similar experience. Survivor Corps’ groundbreaking peer support technique trains survivor mentors to offer understanding and support as well as links to health care, jobs and information to the newly victimized.
Peer support helps survivors rise above their circumstance and builds a network of survivors working together to give back and make positive changes in their communities and in the world.
Over the past 10 years we have made over 116,700 home and hospital visits to survivors of war and conflict.
Participants in a peer support workshop in Ethiopia learned how to coach fellow survivors through the five steps of survivorship:
-
Face Facts—about suffering and loss
- Choose Life—living for the future, not in the past
- Reach Out—by connecting to others who have "been there"
- Get Moving—by setting goals and taking action for a healthy recovery
- Give Back—with gratitude by contributing to your community and the world.
"I've always had the sincere desire to help other survivors and now I have the skills to do it well. The role-play exercises and group feedback were a very valuable experience. The training really involved us and that is important." - recent training participant
After losing his leg to a landmine, Ramiz of Bosnia-Herzegovina became withdrawn. A peer support worker began visiting with Ramiz and helped him start a business growing produce. Running the business helped Ramiz become active again, and gave him the opportunity to experience the healing power of giving back.
“The day I first donated 200 kilos of fresh tomatoes to the local orphanage was an incredible moment for me. After so many years, I was no longer the beneficiary, but the benefactor. I want to build a second greenhouse and hire other survivors.”
You or your organization can learn how to use peer support to help trauma victims recover and thrive. We provide trainings to individuals and organizations across the United States, Asia, Africa, Latin America, South East Europe and the Middle East.