QUESTION: What is Peer Power Partners?

 ANSWER: The mission of Peer Power Partners is to pair students with disabilities to same aged peers to provide friendship, understanding and advocacy. This is the third year Peer Power Partners has been offered as a collaborative of Vision 2020 Pride and Spirit, the Parenting Resource Center and the Austin Public Schools and which now connects over 200 students at IJ Holton Intermediary School, Ellis Middle School and Austin High School.

The following are statements about friendship that kids have made who participate in Peer Power Partners:

“Peer Power Partners helps me make friends and come fully out of my shell that I have around new people.”

“You create great friendships that you probably didn’t think you would make. And you see people coming together and sticking up for each other.”

“I enjoy being able to interact with others and make friends with people who get glanced over as possible friends.”

The following are student Peer Power Partner statements about understanding:

“Peer Power Partners makes you think about how you treat others.”

“I am not alone with autism.”

“I have learned to help others and understand those who are different from me. I have also learned things about other disabilities and what makes them, them.”

The following are student Peer Power Partner statements about advocacy.”

“The power of our peers is being the “bigger” person in tough situations. We get to be positive role models and welcome others to join.”

“I have become a better person because I know how to help others without people asking for help.”

Finally, here are student Peer Power Partner statements about inclusion:

“The power of our peers means we care for and understand people and that we act like a community.”

“It’s a choice to be nice to people.”

“The main thing I’m learning in Peer Power Partners is that it doesn’t take much to help people.”

To talk with a parenting specialist about the challenges in child-raising, call the toll-free Parent WarmLine at 1-888-584-2204. For free emergency child care call Crisis Nursery at 1-877-434-9599. Check out www.familiesandcommunities.org and free resources at the Parenting Resource Center Specialty Library (105 First Street SE, Austin).