Pictured above: YouthFriends Reno County is awarded a grant from the Verizon Foundation to support the Read With Me program at Faris Elementary.  In the photo from left to right: Michele Deviney, Asst. Store Manager- Verizon Wireless Hutchinson; Carla Wilhite, District Coordinator- YouthFriends Reno County; Carla Woody, Program Coordinator- YouthFriends Reno County, Denise Neighbors, Principal- Faris Elementary School; and Amber Kelly, Store Manager- Verizon Wireless Hutchinson.

YouthFriends is a school-based mentoring effort that links caring adult volunteers from the community with students in schools and is open to all students, grades K-12, within participating school districts. All activities take place on school grounds before, during or after school hours. YouthFriends volunteers typically visit a school for one hour each week to do things like have lunch with a student, help with reading or academic tutoring, share an interest or a hobby or simply listen.

Breakfast Buddy
Eat breakfast with a student or a small group of students at the school cafeteria (could be a great activity on your way to work). Be a mentor by assisting your student(s) with a class assignment, discussing a book, or just chatting. This is a time to enjoy eating and fun conversation!

Lunch Buddy
Eat lunch in the school cafeteria with an individual student or group of students during their lunch period. During your time together, you may also serve as a mentor by playing a board game, reading a story, playing on the playground or working on a special project. This is a time to build self-confidence and let the student know he/she is important.

Teacher's Pet
Volunteers and their certified therapy dogs help students read. Training/certification is a three-day class through the Hutchinson Kennel Club. There is no cost to the volunteer and trainings are arranged by YouthFriends staff.

e-Mentoring
Connecting busy professionals with career-minded students through e-mail. Help guide the next generation without even leaving the office.

Special Projects
We will be glad to design something that suits your desire to be a mentor to a young person. You choose the time and day of the week that fits with your busy schedule and we'll select the student or group of students who can most benefit from your experience.

Career Role Model
Share information about your occupation and discuss your career experience with groups of middle or high school students during a special time. This type of activity may occur during lunchtime or at a scheduled career day, job fair, or classroom presentation.

Reading Buddy
Help students develop better reading skills.

YouthFriends Book Club
A book is chosen by staff, students and mentors to read and discuss. A small group of young people and one or two volunteers meet once a month to discuss great books. This activity includes reading aloud, discussion and relating personal experience.

Academic Tutor
Choose your favorite subject—math, reading, writing, science, social studies, computers, music or a foreign language—and work with a student who needs extra attention in that area. You may choose to mentor your student before, during or after school to help give him/her advice and direction in tasks such as completing everyday assignments or developing a challenging project.

Mentor
Time with a positive adult role model is something kids ask for over and again. Have fun getting to know a student through a variety of activities including sharing a hobby, working on an assignment, playing a game or sport, or just "hanging out." A mentor is a friend and a good listener and helps build the self-confidence students need to succeed in school.

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Reno County YouthFriends Trainings:
All trainings will be held at
USD #308 Board Office
1520 N. Plum.
Contact Carla Wilhite or Carla WoodyStanfield to register for all trainings:
Phone: 620.615.4018
E-mail: wilhitec@usd308.com or woodyc@usd308.com