Natural Helpers, a student-run peer counseling organization, returns to Park this school year. The club focuses on providing students with a comfortable environment in which they can ask for help and resources available through the high school.

Adviser Allison Luskey said the Natural Helpers club was brought back last year after the former Natural Helpers adviser retired in 2013. Luskey and the presidents of the club advertised to increase the number of participants.

“The former Natural Helpers adviser retired. (Andrew) Carlson and I brought it back last year. We have made announcements, posted flyers and talked to our classes about bringing Natural Helpers back,” Luskey said.

Co-president Rand Phillips said the club hopes to gain more Natural Helpers this year.

“Our goal as of now is to expand, but to a reasonable size,” Phillips said. “We want to have enough people to be there for anyone who needs it at any time of the day.”

Luskey said since advertising began, more students have gotten involved with the club.

“Last year we had over 45 students who were trained as peer counselors,” Luskey said. “This year we had 77 more students fill out applications to join the Natural Helpers.”

Phillips said students should become involved with Natural Helpers because it offers a positive experience for both the peer counselor and the student seeking help.

“It’s about being a peer counselor. It’s to offer someone closer to your age that can listen and talk to you about all of your problems,” Phillips said. “It is 100 percent confidential and offers a fun experience for anyone who wants to meet people and help people around the school.”

Sophomore Jasmine Tchida said she believes the club creates a positive atmosphere.

“The Natural Helpers club is such a welcoming place,” Tchida said. “Everyone is really friendly and it’s an accepting community that’s just great to be around.”

Tchida also participating in Natural Helpers helps students learn valuable skills to use inside and outside of the club.

“People should get involved with Natural Helpers because it is a great experience. You learn skills that you can use for so much more than just in the club,” Tchida said.

Students interested in joining still have time to turn in their applications, according to Phillips.

“So far we have only had our first meeting. It was informational to all the freshmen and new participants,” Phillips said. “We are currently waiting on every new participant to get their application in.”

The date of the next meeting is undecided. Those interested in joining Natural Helpers or seeking help are encouraged to talk to Phillips or adviser Allison Luskey in room B112.