Hillsborough HS Students Spend 1,500 Hours Mentoring Youngsters

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — When Hillsborough High School Junior Kelly Irwin saw elementary students struggling amid the pandemic she jumped into action to create a mentoring program called Boro Buddies Online.

Irwin had previously run a volunteer aftercare program through Boro Buddies before the pandemic but once students were stuck at home she created an online version to keep kids connected.

"I was motivated to create this group because a significant number of elementary students are deprived of social interactions due to the pandemic. They are unable to spend time with their friends or be in schools which can negatively impact their social development," said Irwin.

The online program allows students to work on their social skills as they bond with high schoolers. Boro Buddies Online not only offers friendships and mentors, but it also supports parents as the mentors keep their children occupied while the parents are trying to work or assist their other children.

The program was also created to help high school students struggling to find volunteer opportunities.

"I wanted to create an organization that would help my peers become involved in the community. This program allows them to create bonds with elementary school students that they will never lose," said Irwin.

When Irwin started the program this past fall she had 45 mentors and 45 students enrolled. The program ran in three separate sessions in fall, winter, and spring. It now has more than 115 high school students.

The high school students have volunteered more than 2,000 hours preparing lessons/sessions and mentoring more than 115 elementary students since the inception of the program in the fall of 2020. They have spent more than 1,500 hours directly mentoring these elementary students via Google meets and Zoom calls.

Irwin said the program goes beyond just helping to tutor students with school work.

"We do have mentors that just do school work like homework help or tutoring but we also have a social aspect where they just talk, play games, or do crafts," said Irwin. "Each student is matched based on their interest."

Irwin is looking to host another session in the summer and is currently looking for more volunteers and students. For more information email borobuddiesonline@gmail.com.

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