The Pana School District Unit 8 provides a mentoring program for students that need extra educational support called SMART Buddies.
Susan McGrath is a SMART Buddy, she says the program got started around 15 years ago and they have seen continued growth throughout the past decade and a half.
McGrath says they meet for what is called buddy time. This time can be used for multiple things from helping the buddy with homework, to playing a game. Often times it is used just to talk about what is going on in life.
McGrath appeared as a guest on the Newstalk WTIM Morning Show.