About Peer Support
The Houston Diabetes Peer Support Network delivers peer support to people living with diabetes and their caregivers.
Peer Support links people living with a chronic condition such as diabetes. People with a common illness are able to share knowledge and experiences – including some that many health workers do not have.
How To Join Peer Support Groups:
1. Virtual Meetings
- Join us virtually every week on Mondays from 7pm to 8pm through Microsoft Team meetings.
- Men's Diabetes Peer Support group. Join us virtually every week on Tuesdays from 7pm to 8pm through Microsoft Team meetings.
- Join us virtually every week on Thursdays from 7pm to 8 pm through Microsoft Team meetings.
2. Hybrid Meetings
- Join the Peer Support Meetings every Mondays from 11am to 12pm at the Gathering Place located at 5310 South Willow Dr Houston, TX 77035 or virtually on Teams. This group is for Gathering Place members only.
3. In Person Meetings
- Join the Peer Support Meetings every Monday from 10 am to 11 am at Hardy Community Center (Precinct 2) located at 11901 W. Hardy Rd. Houston TX, 77076. This group is open to the public.
- Join the Peer Support Meetings every Tuesday from 9:30 am to 10:30 am at the Deputy Darren Almendarez Community Center (Precinct 2) at 10918 Bentley St. Houston, TX 77019. This group is open to the public.
- Join the Person Peer Support Meetings on Wednesdays from 11 am to 12 pm at the Lighthouse of Houston located at 3602 West Dallas St., Houston, TX 77019. This group is for Lighthouse of Houston members only.
- Join the Person Peer Support Meetings on Thursday from 10 am to 11 am at the DAWN Center-Alief. Alief Community College is located at 11903 Belaire Blvd. Houston, TX 77019. This group is open to the public.
According to Peers for Progress, there are four functions of peer support:
1. Assistance in Daily Management:
Peer supporters use their own experiences with diet, physical activity and medicine adherence in helping people figure out how to manage diabetes in their daily lives. They can also help in identifying key resources, such as where to buy healthy foods or pleasant and convenient locations for exercise.
2. Social and Emotional Support:
Through empathetic listening and encouragement, peer supporters are an integral part of helping patients to cope with social or emotional barriers and to stay motivated to reach their goals.
3. Linkages to Clinical Care and Community Resources:
Peer supporters can help bridge the gap between the patients and health professionals and encourage individuals to seek out clinical and community resources when it is appropriate.
4. Ongoing support, extended over time:
Peer supporters successfully keep patients engaged by providing proactive, flexible, and continual long-term follow-up.
For people with diabetes and their caregivers, Peer Support offers multiple benefits:
- Helps participants to face the reality of their diabetes diagnosis
- Allows participants to share their concerns and emotions about diabetes
- Provides a safe & confidential environment
- Fosters an atmosphere of sharing & learning amongst peers
Peer Support in Cities for Better Health Houston
Led by CORE Initiative, the Houston Diabetes Peer Support Network offers programs in different formats: Facebook, Zoom and in-person groups in the community.
The Peer Supporters are trained in a curriculum developed by the Peer Support Action Work Group consisting of people living with diabetes, Community Health Workers and healthcare providers. It follows recommendations set forth by Peers for Progress at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Gillings School of Public Health.
To join Facebook, sign up here:
http://www.facebook.com/groups/139898349987212
Please contact Serena Valentine COREInitiative@peoplenomix.org if you would like us to start any of these support groups in your community, church, community center, etc.
