E.A.S.Y.Toons (Educational Anecdotes for Struggling Youth) Issue 3 (Gaining A Friend)

tuesday, at lunch...
Issue #3: “gaining a friend”
Story by : Noemi Vallone
art by: Rachel Fay, Katherine Fan
Coloring by: Jane wen
produced by: Tyler Maxey-Billings
®
created by: Pamela Clark
executive produced by: Jeff Ermoian
©2019 new heights educational group
1

You won’t believe what
happened to me.
what happened?
Ms. Marina said that to
have a better chance
at college, i need more
“volunteer hours”.
can you believe
that?
I’m already on the
cheer team, in the
yearbook committee
and the student
council.
Well, you know you
shouldn’t do volunteer
work just for college...
rather, because
you want to make a
difference.
how does she think I have
any time to do
“volunteer work?”
2

Yeah, I know. But I feel like I have
too much on my plate to spend who
knows how many hours each week doing
volunteer stuff.
And I need to study more to
keep my grades up and to start
researching for Ms. Marina’s
paper.
Luckily, she teamed me up
with Jeff so we can share
the work, but still.
I don’t know what to do.
Do you already know
where you’d like to
volunteer?
There are some options: the food bank,
a non-profit to help education...there
are so many choices. Too bad I can’t help
everyone.
3

Hey, why don’t you
come with me to the
buddy program?
The what?
The buddy program. It’s a program offered
by our school district where older
children are paired up with elementary
school children and you spend time with
them.
Sometimes you help them with
homework, and other times you
read for them at the library.
It’s a fun way to help people.
...Huh.
When are you
going?
We’re meeting at 3 p.m. at the
library on Saturday.
The volunteers will have
to show up there at
2:30 p.m., and then we’ll
be divided into groups
depending on which
activity we will help the
children do.
4

Last time, I helped a couple of children with
their math homework. And when Francesca
came, she read to first graders.
I had a lot of fun. Those kids were super
smart and asked a ton of questions about
the book. I loved talking with them.
Ok, why not? I’ll
come too.
Oh man, I
should’ve grabbed
some lunch.
5

saturday, 2:30pm...
Did you decide to come
too?
Yep. The kids wanted
me to finish reading
the book from last
time.
You guys ready?
Uh, Sure.
6

Ok Taylor, are you up
for more tutoring?
Yes. I want to see how Kyle’s
math test went; we studied
hard for it.
Alright then. Francesca, would you like
to continue reading the book? Kristy has
been asking for you. She doesn’t want to
finish it with anyone but you.
Nice to meet you, Jody. Thank
you for coming here today. We
usually do some exercises to
help volunteers interact with the
children, but we’re a little shorthanded
today.
I’m more than
ready!
Would you be ok
playing with children
on your own?
Sure, sir.
We prepared an art activity,
so they just need someone
to paint with them.
7

Good, then go to your station and start
preparing. The children will be here
soon.
What if they don’t like
me? I’m not that good with
kids...
well, taking care of
my little sister is one
thing, but...
Just be patient.
Kids can understand
if someone is a
good person, and
you are.
A little bit uptight,
but you have the best
interest in mind for them.
You’ll do fine.
8

Good luck!
in the art room...
Hello everybody. I’m Jody. I’ll be the one
painting with you today.
9

So, uh...what would you like to
paint? The canvases and brushes
are over here.
and Don’t forget to put on
your apron, so you won’t get
your clothes dirty.
Oh--dang it!
Oh! Thank you, uh...what’s
your name?
Tyler! And you’re
welcome.
10

Miss Jody, why don’t
you paint too?
You know, the last person who
painted with us spilled all the red
paint on my shirt.
My mom was really mad.
So as long as you don’t
spill any paint on me,
we’re cool.
Ok, I can promise to not
spill any paint on you.
11

LATER THAT DAY...
Bye, kids! See you soon!
Thank you, thank you, thank you
so much for inviting me! You’re
the best, Tay!
That’s awesome! I’m glad
you liked it.
I really did. I also talked with
the buddy program manager about
becoming a volunteer.
I told him that I didn’t
have much free time due
to school and other
stuff, but he said that
didn’t matter.
I’ll come to the library
every other Saturday, so
I can alternate studying
and spending time with the
kids.
12

See? You found
something that you like,
and it won’t take that
much time out of your
schedule.
The buddy program is really flexible.
Once you commit, you have to come,
but when and what you can do to
help gets decided among you, the
manager and the kids.
so you can do it
weekly or once a
month. Whenever you
have time.
Let’s do this again! Tyler is the
sweetest kid ever, and I’m so glad
I got to spend time with him and
the rest.
THE END...
13

This story was inspired by the Buddy Programs for Elementary Schools article by Kelly Bear Press.
E.A.S.Y.Toons is a production of New Heights Educational Group, in partnership with Teen Line, Kelly
Bear Press, and Your Life Your Voice from Boys Town.
If you are are a teen looking for help, you can call the Teen Line to speak to someone right away, any
time from 6pm to 10pm PST, every night.
(310) 855-HOPE (4673)
(800) TLC-TEEN (852-8336) US & Canada Only
If you are having thoughts of harming yourself or you are being abused, please call the Your Life Your
Voice hotline to speak to a counselor any time, day or night.
(800) 448-3000
You can also text with a counselor by texting VOICE to 20121 for free on most carriers. Standard fees
may apply for other carriers.
New Heights Educational Group
www.NewHeightsEducation.org
NewHeightsEducation@yahoo.com
(419) 786-0247
Kelly Bear Press
www.kellybear.com
kellybear@bendcable.com
(541) 330-6122
Teen Line
www.teenlineonline.org
cheryl@teenlineonline.org
(310) 855-4673
Your Life Your Voice
www.yourlifeyourvoice.org
(800) 448-3000