Some people are just naturals. Whatever their focus is, it just seems to come naturally to them. In a school situation, there are certain students and teachers who are the ones others turn to when they need advice, help or just a compassionate listener.
Natural Helpers is a national program that seeks out these individuals and offers them an opportunity to be trained to be even better at what they do naturally. Participants are identified by the student body through an anonymous school-wide survey. They represent a cross section of students and the various subgroups in the school community.
At Portage High School, there are two Natural Helpers Retreats each year, one in the fall and one in the spring. A different group of students is selected for each retreat. About 50-55 students attend. Following each retreat, the juniors are invited to apply to be leaders the following year. Only eight seniors serve as staff members, so the other interested candidates are invited to train as in-school mentors.
The three faculty facilitators for this program are naturals themselves. Lynn Wilson, who teaches Medical Terminology/Anatomy/Physiology in the Careers and Technical Education program, has been involved with Natural Helpers for 17 years. She works with English teachers Marsha Hobart and Jodi Barney on all aspects of the program, beginning the planning for the next retreat as soon as the previous one is completed.
“Each retreat costs about $4000,” Wilson said. “We have fundraisers during the year, such as the Prom Fashion Show, but there is no way we could continue to hold the retreats without the help we get from grants we apply for. The Porter County Substance Abuse Council has been so generous in helping us over the years. We can apply for a grant for four consecutive years and then we take a year off. That may change in the future and we can apply every year."
“Over the course of the 17 years I’ve been with Natural Helpers, they have allocated $2000 about ten times. I know they also fund Valpo, Wheeler and other local schools’ Natural Helpers program. We are so grateful for their generosity!”
The connection between Natural Helpers and the Porter County Substance Abuse Council is a natural one, too. One of the Council’s Task-forces is Prevention and Education, attempting to deter people from substance abuse with education and awareness. This is one of the issues that the Natural Helpers retreat and training cover.
For further information on the Porter County Substance Abuse Council, please see their website at http://www.portercountysac.org/ or call (219) 462-0946.
If you have a comment or question about Natural Helpers, please e-mail Lynn Wilson at lwilson@portage.k12.in.us.