Recently, I was afforded an incredible opportunity with the Valparaiso High School Natural Helpers. I attended a retreat with this amazing group of high school junior and seniors, as well as their adult facilitators. So, what are natural helpers and how are they making a difference at VHS?
The Natural Helpers program is a peer helping program based on the premise that students go to their friends for help and advice with problems. Within every school, an informal “helping network” already exists. Research indicates that when teens have problems, they naturally seek out other students – and also adults – whom they trust. However, usually they seek help first from their friends. So, this program is designed to increase helping skills of youth who are identified as the “helpers” by their peers. Through the Natural Helpers program, “peer helpers” increase their problem solving, helping, and listening skills. In addition, they learn more about: knowing when friends need help, expressing care and concern, recognizing situations that require more adult help and contacting appropriate resources. These students attend retreats to help strengthen their skills. The retreats are opportunities for these students to learn about taking good care of themselves, working as a team, addressing stereotypes, building trust, supporting friends, expressing limits, recognizing situations which require adult help and teaching others. The natural helpers program does not turn students into “counselors” or “therapists”. Instead, students receive training through the off-campus retreat setting where they learn how to improve the above mentioned skills. Students are merely developing the capability to prevent some of the problems of adolescence, to intervene effectively with troubled friends, develop positive ways of taking care of themselves, and increasing their capacity to improve their school and community.
How are natural helpers chosen and how is this program beneficial?
Natural Helpers are identified through an anonymous survey distributed in school. This selection process guarantees that all groups in the school will be represented and assures that the students selected for the program are already seen by their peers as trustworthy and helpful. Once students are identified as “helpers” by their peers, they are asked to participate in the program. VHS is unique in that juniors that have participated in the program can apply to be a part of the “Rainbow Staff”. The “Rainbow Staff” are seniors that serve as peer facilitators in the program. The natural helpers have reported using helping skills to help their peers or in asking friends about different options for solving problems. They have also reported improved communication and decision making skills for themselves. For example, when helping someone with a problem, good communication skills are essential. The natural helpers focus on the following communication skills: words matching non-verbal cues, speaking in clear and specific way, asking questions when something is unclear, and repeating what is said in your own words to make sure you understood correctly. Furthermore, the decision process improves because natural helpers are asked to gather all the information that is needed before making a decision, think about the consequences of each choice before making a decision, and make the best choice based on all the information available then do it.
In conclusion, this article reflects my experience and learning in the off-campus retreat I attended with this group. These natural helpers and their adult facilitators are truly making a difference at Valparaiso High School and in their community!