Natural Helpers is at a crossroads. The group, which previously has struggled to make an impact, hopes a new mission and increased membership will make them a permanent part of Park.

In past years, the group focused on peer counseling for students that needed extra help. This year, Natural Helpers decided to change its mission. Instead of focusing solely on counseling, it expanded to include mentoring, equity – impartialness and fairness towards all students – and social justice – equal access to resources and rights. Their next meeting will take place in room l ¾ on Nov. 30.

Jeremy Riehle, the staff advisor for the group, said the mission changed due to the evolving needs of the student body.

“The needs of students and the ways they are communicating with each other is changing,” he said. “People are talking online much more, and there is less face to face communication.”

This year Natural Helpers also looks to expand membership, especially with diverse students and underclassmen. Members are generally invited to join the group, but students can contact Mr. Riehle in the counseling office if they are interested in joining the club.

“We want a diverse group that is reflective of the student population,” Riehle said.

Senior member Sam Clausen McIver said recruiting younger students is instrumental in the group’s success this year.

“This is the deciding year for if this group will fade away or become a prominent group in the school,” he said. “We really need to get our act together and recruit freshmen.”

Junior Hannah McCracken said she hopes Natural Helpers continues in the future, because it promotes cohesion among the student body.

“We are trying to help our fellow students and bring different types of students together,” she said. “We want to represent the whole school.”

McIver agrees, and said he believes the group is good for the school, and also for the members themselves.
“It gives me the opportunity to reach out to my peers,” McIver said. “(It) really tests and improves my leadership skills.”