Imagine a program that matches Ada kindergarteners through eighth graders with a college student mentor.

Such a program exists.

Ada Friends, organized in 1991 through the Ohio Northern University Religious Life staff, last school year matched 74 Ada students with college mentors. Applications for this school year’s program are now being accepted, according to Jerrod Amstutz, an ONU senior, student coordinator. 

The ONU Religious Life Staff is under the dirction of David MacDonald, ONU chaplain.

“Any child in the Ada schools, from kindergarten to eighth grade can be matched with an ONU student,” Amstutz said. “The match offers the student and mentor one hour a week of time together to develop a relationship.”

In addition to the one-on-one aspect of the program, Ada Friends also offers monthly events with all mentors and mentees.

There is no cost to participate.

“We hope to have all matches made by Sept. 14,” said Amstutz. Once the matches are set students and their mentors have a variety of choices on when and where to get together each week.

For parents interested in more information about the program, click here to view Ada Friends facebook, or contact Jarrod Amstutz at [email protected]

Two attachments to this story include an application form and a brief history of the program.