The Ada Friends Program is gearing up for the 2015-16 school year, according to Austin Hilverding, coordinator of the program.

Ada Friends involves mentoring between Ohio Northern University students and students in the Ada schools from Kindergarten through eighth grade. The Ada Friends mentoring program has existed for over 20 years.

“Children in the program spend one to two hours a week bonding with their Big (mentor) through monthly group activities, and more importantly, one-on-one time,” said Hilverding. “This allows participants have fun and develop a supportive relationship that can positively impact the development of children in the program in countless ways.”

He explained that Bigs, who have undergone a thorough application process, serve this program as an adult figure outside child’s home and school environment. The student mentor can guide the child through the challenges the child faces each day.

Parents and guardians interested in have their children in the program need to complete the attached application, at the bottom of this story. The form needs to be received in the Ada elementary office by Friday, Sept. 18.

A kick-off party takes place in early October in the McIntosh Ballroom.

For more information on the program visit Ada Friends website by clicking here or contacting the coordinator at [email protected] or by calling 419-772-2200.