The EARS program stands for Everyone Able to Read by Sharing. Volunteers are assigned to elementary schools in Barton and Stafford Counties. They listen to children read and help them with comprehension and pronunciation, encouraging them with positive reinforcement. Volunteers need to care about children and like to read. Volunteers are also needed to assist children with math.

Youth Friends
Recruitment is now taking place for Youth Friends
at several elementary schools in Great Bend.

In this program, a volunteer is matched with a child and is asked to spend 30 minutes a week with a child in a school setting. They can be lunch buddies, recess buddies, or reading buddies.

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Children learn what they live...

If a child lives with criticism,
he learns to condemn.
If a child lives with hostility,
he learns to fight.
If a child lives with fear,
he learns to be apprehensive.
If a child lives with pity,
he learns to feel sorry for himself.
If a child lives with ridicule,
he learns to be shy.
If a child lives with shame,
he learns to feel guilty.
If a child lives with praise,
he learns to be appreciative.
If a child lives with acceptance,
he learns to love.
If a child lives with recognition,
he learns that it is good
to have a goal.