Agreement

Companion Connections Agreement

Companion Connections helps create supportive, mutual connections between people who have similar life experiences. Please note that Companion Connections is not a service provider, therapist, counselor, or mental health clinician. We do not diagnose or analyze.

As a participant in Companion Connections, you agree to the following:

Communication & Scheduling

• Coordinate Calls: You are responsible for coordinating with your Companion to find a time that works for both of you to talk.
• Bi-Weekly Chats: You’ll communicate with your Companion via call or text for at least one hour every two weeks.
• Give Notice: If you need to cancel a scheduled chat, you must notify your Companion at least one hour in advance.
• Get to Know Each Other: Be open to getting to know your Companion and letting them get to know you.

Safety & Boundaries

• Set Boundaries: Please gently set boundaries with your Companion as needed.
• Public Meetings: If you decide to meet in person, you are encouraged to do so in a public place like a park or café. Do not meet at either of your homes.
• No Gifts or Money: Do not give your Companion any gifts or money.

Addressing Issues

• Need to Leave: If you decide to leave the program, you must provide closure to your Companion and the project director.
• Unmatched: If you can’t build a connection with your matched Companion, please contact Dan Frey or the project director.
• Communication Breakdown: Contact Dan Frey or the project director if your Companion fails to communicate with you for over a week.
• Inappropriate Behavior: If an inappropriate incident occurs during a chat session and you need help, contact Dan Frey or the project director.

Volunteer Check-Ins

Connections in the program are good-faith peer relationships, not clinical or therapist–patient relationships. There is no strict medical confidentiality. The project director will have a brief bi-weekly check-in with volunteers to ensure the program is working well, and these check-ins will not involve sharing the detailed content of conversations with Companions.

However, if a Companion expresses suicidal or homicidal ideations, this information must be shared with the project director. In addition, if the volunteer feels a strong need to share information that may affect the program, the project director, themselves, or their Companion, they have the right to do so. This ensures an appropriate peer-supportive action can be taken and that we can share resources with a Companion who may be struggling.