Compeer’s Lunch Buddies program, which is being piloted at Village Elementary, gives students identified for the program a chance to relate to an adult and a chance to have a positive role model.
The program received a $25,000 grant from the Kansas Health Foundation.
The grant helps fund the program over three years. The program was implemented this year at Village Elementary to help students who are in need of extra support.
The program matches up Compeer volunteers with students. That volunteer becomes that student’s adult mentor and spends time with the child each week at school, said Boyce Baumgardner, executive director of Compeer. Lunch Buddies is for children who are identified for the program as being in need of social mentoring and relationship skill building. The support is designed to be in a non-clinical setting.
“We looked at kids who might struggle in school emotionally and socially,” said Amy Chapman, student supervisor specialist at Village Elementary.
Baumgardner said the program reaches out to a smaller population of children in need of mentors and sets itself apart from other mentoring programs in Emporia.
“This program focuses on a tighter group of children,” he said.
Village Elementary Principal Wendy Moore said many of the volunteers come in, spend lunch with the kids and stays through recess.
“Through that time the kids are making those connections,” Moore said.
The volunteers are connected with the student’s teacher and parents. Moore said she hasn’t had one parent turn down the offer for their child to have a lunch buddy. There are 15 kids in the program right now. Staff also are asked to help identifying
“We’re all working together to make sure they are getting the support they need,” Moore said. “We talk to staff and ask for their input ... kids that seek that extra adult attention.”
Having the volunteers work closely with teachers adds to the success of the program.
“It’s just one more (adult) that can be checking in with them,” Moore said. “It’s just one more key to that support.”
Volunteers are asked to make monthly reports on their lunch buddy and individual goals are set for each child.
“When parents fill out the referral form they listed goals they want for their child,” Chapman said.
Janelle McCoy, program coordinator, said the program also is a way for volunteers to give back.
“I like to tell people that this is one of the ways to have a positive impact on a child’s life,” McCoy said. “In 40 minutes you have a positive impact on a child and everybody has to eat. But to eat and have a positive impact on a child in your community is an added bonus.”
Baumgardner said more volunteers are needed for the program.
“It’s bringing in a lot of volunteers,” he said. “This is not only for the children, it’s also for the volunteers.”
Those interested in volunteering can call Compeer at 340-6015 or 402 Commercial St., Room 222.
orangecountry (anonymous) says...
Nice work Compeer! You've come a long way baby!
December 8, 2008 at 3:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mythoughts (anonymous) says...
Could someone post some details here, like the time of day you'd be there, and for how long? Plus, do you brown bag your lunch or eat the prepared meals? Could you bring a brown bag to share with your buddy? Do you say goodbye to your buddy at the end of the school year or move with them from grade to grade? It sounds like fun, and not as big a commitment as Big Brothers/Sisters.
December 8, 2008 at 4:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
compeer (anonymous) says...
Sorry for not posting this sooner; I just read your comments. For anyone that is interested:
*The times range from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (depends when your buddy eats) You meet one day a week, for 40 minutes
*You can bring your own lunch or Compeer pays for you to eat a school lunch
*The volunteer can continue to be paired up with their buddy each school year, or only sign up for one year. Some times the lunch buddy becomes a 1:1 match, which is where you see the child outside of school.
It is a great program and proven way to postively effect today's youth :)
February 4, 2009 at 1:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )