Compeer celebrates five years of friendship

Compeer Sarasota has five years of impactful friendships to celebrate this year. The group celebrated its anniversary Thursday, March 31 at The Francis with a luncheon to thank community partners and volunteers. 

Sarasota Compeer is based on a global program that provides support through friendship and mentoring relationships to adults and children with mental illness. Compeer operates locally out of Coastal Behavioral Healthcare.

Advisory Board Chairwoman Bunny Skirboll founded Compeer in 1975 in Rochester, N. Y.  but it was because of Ann Hartka that the group started a branch in Sarasota. Skirboll surprised Hartka with an award recognizing her as an outstanding board member during the luncheon. 

“I consider Compeer to be like my child and watching Compeer Sarasota has been like watching my grandchild grow,” Skirboll said. “Today we are all here because one woman was determined.”