ISU students mentor at-risk youth in the Ames elementary schools

through the YMCA Partnership in Active Learning Support, or

Y-PALS.

Shawn Hollenkamp, Y-PALS coordinator, said each youth enrolled

in the program is individually paired with an ISU student who acts

as a big brother or sister.

Hollenkamp, senior in child and family services, said at-risk youth

are kids who have social problems, such as problems making

friends, interacting with other students or schoolwork.

Y-PALS teams up with five elementary schools in Ames. Last year,

31 ISU students were paired with the elementary students.

Fifteen to 20 of those are returning ISU students this year. If

possible, they are paired with the same child, Hollenkamp

said.

The program is very rewarding to both the youth and the student,

he said.

“Iowa State students have a great time doing it,” Hollenkamp said.

“The rewards for the youth are endless.”

Phil Greco, president of YMCA, has participated in Y-PALS for two

years.

“I had the same kid for two years, from first to second grade, so

that gave me an interesting perspective on things,” said Greco,

junior in mechanical engineering. “I don’t have that opportunity very

often.”

He said his experience with Y-PALS was a positive one.

“I felt fulfilled, because I was able to donate my time to someone

who genuinely needed it,” Greco said. “It makes you feel

good.”

The program helps the kids get better grades and improve their

social skills, Hollenkamp said.

“Teachers love it, the kids love it and the Iowa State students love

it,” he said.

Hollenkamp said the kids have an easier time making friends

because other kids on the playground see them with an ISU

student.

“Kids look up to Iowa State students,” he said.

The Y-PALS program has been in effect for 50 years. It started with

kids from single-parent families who needed a male role model to

look up to, Hollenkamp said.

Today, kids from single- or two-parent families can participate, as

well as male or female ISU students.

Hollenkamp said any ISU student who is interested is eligible to

participate in the program.

Students must be available to donate their time at least two hours

per week.

“A student’s two hours per week can make a difference in a child’s

life,” Hollenkamp said.

The YMCA will train interested ISU students to work with the youth.

They will be paired with a child based on their hours available and

their own interests.

“[Y-PALS] is a great way to get involved and expand your

knowledge past books and lecture halls,” Greco said. “It’s a good

way to challenge and build your communication skills in a different

direction.”

For more information about Y-PALS, contact Hollenkamp at

294-1432.