Make a Real Difference.
One Conversation at a Time.
As a peer mentor, you'll help create a welcoming environment where teens can experience natural social interactions. Through games, conversations, teamwork, and everyday moments of laughter, mentors model the kinds of peer interactions that many teens experience in everyday life. For some participants, Company Keepers™ provides opportunities to observe, participate in, and practice these social experiences in a supportive setting.
What Does a Peer Mentor Do?
Your role is simple: show up, be yourself, and help create a welcoming environment where everyone feels included. You don't need to be a therapist, teacher, or autism expert. We'll provide the training and guidance you need.
As a peer mentor, you'll participate alongside teens on the autism spectrum during games, conversations, and team activities. By laughing, listening, encouraging others to join in, and demonstrating positive social interactions, you'll help create the kind of natural peer environment that makes Company Keepers™ unique.
Participate in Games & Activities
Sessions include board games, card games, and team activities designed to encourage conversation and participation. Your role is simple—join in, have fun, and help create an environment where everyone feels welcome.
Encourage Natural Conversations
Talk about everyday things like school, hobbies, music, sports, movies, or favorite games. By being yourself and participating in the conversation, you'll help demonstrate how teens naturally interact with one another.
Help Create a Welcoming Environment
One of your most important roles is helping create a group where everyone feels included and respected. A smile, an invitation to join a game, or encouraging someone to share an idea can make a meaningful difference.
Why This Work Matters
Many teens on the autism spectrum genuinely want friendships and social connections—they just haven't had as many opportunities to observe and participate in the natural social interactions that many of their peers experience every day. Things like joining a conversation, keeping it going, reading social cues, or knowing when to listen and when to contribute can be challenging without those opportunities.
Company Keepers™ provides a welcoming environment where teens can observe, participate in, and practice these interactions alongside peer mentors and other participants through games, conversations, and shared activities.
Research suggests that peer interactions can be a powerful way to support social learning. By sitting around a game table, sharing conversations, and participating together, peer mentors help create authentic opportunities for teens to experience natural social interactions in a relaxed, supportive setting.
Why Peer Mentors Matter
- Peer interactions provide opportunities to observe and practice everyday social communication.
- Games and shared activities help create a relaxed environment that encourages natural conversation.
- Regular participation can help build confidence and increase comfort in group settings.
- Your presence sends an important message: "You Belong Here."
Many teens on the autism spectrum have had fewer opportunities to observe, participate in, and practice social interaction in natural, peer-driven settings. Company Keepers™ helps create those opportunities by bringing teens and peer mentors together through shared activities that encourage conversation, teamwork, and authentic social experiences.
What You'll Gain
- Community service and volunteer hours
- Leadership and communication experience
- A meaningful addition to college, scholarship, or job applications
- Experience supporting inclusion and working with diverse peers
- The satisfaction of knowing you made a positive difference.
What to Expect
Here's what being a Company Keepers™ peer mentor actually looks like week to week.
Schedule
Sessions meet once a week for two hours—Tuesdays in Brunswick County or Thursdays in New Hanover County—from 4:00–6:00 PM. The first 16-session Company Keepers™ program is now underway and follows the school year calendar.
The Group Experience
Company Keepers™ is designed as an informal, relaxed setting where approximately 12–20 teens and peer mentors come together each week to play games, enjoy conversations, and have fun. Meeting with the same group throughout the 16-session program allows everyone to become more comfortable with one another over time.
🎓 Mentor Orientation
Before the program begins, you'll participate in a mentor orientation where you'll learn about autism, the goals of Company Keepers™, your role as a peer mentor, and what to expect during sessions. Throughout the program, AIM Peer Programs staff will be available to answer questions and provide guidance whenever needed.
Location
Brunswick County sessions will be held at Brunswick Community College. New Hanover County sessions are planned for a convenient community location, with the final venue to be announced before the program begins. Complete location details will be provided to all registered participants and peer mentors prior to the first session.
What You Bring
Bring your enthusiasm, a willingness to participate, and an open mind. You don't need to be an autism expert—just be yourself, join in the games and conversations, and help create a welcoming environment where everyone can participate and enjoy the experience.
Who We're Looking For
You don't need a special background. You just need to be the kind of person who makes others feel welcome.
Ready to Get Involved?
Complete the form below to register as a Company Keepers™ peer mentor. We'll follow up with orientation details and next steps.
Questions? Email us at aimpeerprograms@gmail.com