Stories and News

This page is devoted to testimonials from local matches as well as current and recent news about our agency. Check back often to find out what's happening with our agency, or to read about some of our successful matches. If you see of any news stories, or are interested in submitting a story, please look up the appropriate staff member in the "Staff List" section, or contact us at the number to the left.

 

Big Buddy Program

 

Big buddy is a program designed for high school students to volunteer their time being a mentor/tutor to younger child.  These volunteers provide:

 

• Interaction
• Recreation
• A positive role model for the child

 

Big Buddies are matched one-to-one to a younger student.  This will take place on the school grounds.  The Big Buddies will go to that school at the designate times and meet with their Little.  They will work on homework, read, talk, play games, and be a friend to a child in need of a caring role model and mentor.  Commitment is important for the volunteer since these children will be looking forward to the visit with their new high school Big. 

           

 

Success Stories with the Big Buddies program

 

Brittany and Rachel

 

            Every Tuesday afternoon Rachel, a student at Lakewood High School, enjoys the smile of a short blonde name Brittany.  Brittany is a kindergartener at Hebron Elementary school and she looks forward to the days when her “big Buddy” shares the afternoon with her.  The two have worked together all school year and Brittany has become much less shy as a result. Not to mention how much she has learned.  Brittany and Rachel are working on writing a book, quite a task for a Kindergartner.  But with the help of her Big Buddy, Brittany’s “letter book” is quite a success. Each week the pair finds a word that begins with a different letter of the alphabet and draws a picture of that word in Brittany’s book.  They also do such entertaining activities as having Christmas parties, playing “head’s up, seven-up” and making Easter baskets.  Both halves of this pair feel that their lives have been enriched through their experience in the Big Buddy Program.                   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vincent and Paul

 

Personality.  That is what Vincent, a special needs seventh grader at Granville Middle School, has, and it makes him fun to work with, according to his mentor Paul, a junior at Granville High School.  The two meet on a weekly basis, during their study halls and lunches, so that Vincent can get help with his homework.  According to Paul, Vincent’s easy-going personality makes him a “cool kid,” and allows him to get along with everyone in the program.    Mentoring is a great opportunity for Paul to  connect with a younger kind ad help someone who is trying to survive middle school, as he had to do not long ago.  Paul enjoys the talks he shares with Vincent and considers his work as a mentor to be very rewarding, despite having to eat lunch in a rush.  To hi, enjoying the presence of a “cool” middle schooler who just needs a little help and encouragement is well worth it. 

 

 

 

 

Clem Reads Program

 

High School students and adults (ages 14-95) are matched one-on-one to read with student at John Clem Elementary. The volunteer comes to John Clem during his or her study hall or free time and reads with a student for about ½ hour weekly.  Times can be worked out to accommodate the volunteer anytime from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.  Training is provided. 

 

 

Michael and Jeanie

 

            What was your favorite book growing up?  For Michael, a first-grader at John Clem Elementary, the ultimate book would have to be The Knight and the Dragon.  He reads this book with the help of his mentor, Jeanie, a student at Newark High School. Michael’s favorite thing about working with Jeanie is that she is there to help him sound out words when he gets stuck.  Certainly, we all can relate to Michaels’s feelings: we know how great it is to have someone there to help when we get stuck in ruts of all kinds—who couldn’t us a Jeanie every now and then?  Michael is able to receive help and support from Jeanie because of his participation in the Clem Reads Program.  He has been involved with the program for tow ears now, ever since he was in kindergarten, and he enjoys the time he spends getting special help with his reading.  In fact Michael has grown to love reading books. 

 

 

Morgan and Melissa

 

            How do good teachers become great?  Experience!  And that is exactly what Melissa, a freshman at Denison University, is getting through her participation in the Clem Reads Program.  She has been working with Morgan, a second grade student at John Clem Elementary, for a month and a half, and through that experience has gained invaluable experience for her future profession.  Melissa became involved in the Clem program because of how well it matched her interests.  In her words, “I like working with kids. And I am really good with working with kids….it is good for me to get that experience.” She explained that through mentoring Clem Students, as well as through other mentoring experiences, she has learned that it can be hard to adjust to the fact hat as a teacher “[the students] don’t know what you know.” This is an opportunity for her to get used to that reality, and help children in this community at the same time.