Agency: Lawrence-Douglas County Partnership for Children and Youth

Address: 2518 Ridgway Court

Contact person: Kelly Anderson or Maren Santelli

Phone number: 842-5006

A successful mentoring program in the Lawrence public schools needs additional volunteers.

Youth Friends is looking for at least 50 more people who can spend time each week with a student at school.

“It’s only one hour a week,” said Kelly Anderson, who helps coordinate the program.

Youth Friends was started in 1995 by the Lawrence-Douglas County Partnership for Children and Youth and pairs an adult with a student, who is typically recommended by a school counselor for the program. The volunteer and student can eat lunch together, work on academic subjects, read together or just talk.

About 120 volunteers already are involved in Youth Friends. Anderson said the program has improved the students’ academic and social skills and has helped to cut down on school absences.

Those interested in volunteering can call Anderson or Maren Santelli at 842-5006 or visit the program’s Web site at www. youthfriends.org. Volunteers must fill out an application form and attend a training session. A background screening also will be conducted.

Training sessions have been scheduled at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday and 5:30 p.m. March 26 at Lawrence-Douglas County Partnership for Children and Youth.

Last week’s results

Chris Koehler, program coordinator for Douglas County Special Olympics, said she received only one call last week from those wanting to help coach the group’s athletes.

Volunteers are needed to help train athletes with physical and mental disabilities in such track and field events as relays, long jump and the shot put.

Koehler said volunteer coaches are needed for practices from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturdays at Free State High School. The practices started Saturday and will continue through April 13. Applications are available at the sessions. Volunteers should be 16 or older.

For more information, call Koehler at 749-0937.