ESCANABA — Junior and senior high school students at Escanaba Area Public Schools are making a difference one buddy at a time.

The Mo-Buddy program, which was initiated four years ago, pairs students who have learning disabilities or someone who may not have friends, with general education students as a way to show support and foster behaviors and relationships that help create a positive environment.

According to Kris Aiken, a teacher consultant at Escanaba, the program began as a way to give a student with autism someone to talk to during class, while also raising confidence and gaining a confidant.

While most classes are not meant to be social, Aiken devised a way to create a class for students with IEP (individualized education program), or special education kids, with general education students.

The course, named “Peer to Peer,” is an elective credit program, explained Aiken. When it first started, there were 12 Mo-Buddies who mentored one student per mentor. Now, the program is up to 65 mentors who are partnered with 175 students in need.

“It’s really fun,” said Aiken. “These friendships that wouldn’t have happened, happened.”

The mentors and their “buddies” have a “Mo-Lounge,” where the students can facilitate academic and social interactions. Rooms are set-up like a living room, complete with couches, chairs and other furniture to make it more of a home feel, noted Aiken.

One of the biggest surprises that Aiken has seen since the program started is how Mo-Buddy has turned into an anti-bullying campaign. Mentors look out for their students, and even people who aren’t mentors look out for others, added Aiken.

If there is a situation that needs to be addressed, Aiken said the mentors and the bullies have a “Mo-Vention” to confront and discuss the issue at hand.

The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) has also taken notice of Escanaba’s Mo-Buddy program, explained Aiken. MDE representatives were in Escanaba recently and Aiken told them about the program and how it works. The representatives liked the program so much they asked Aiken to come speak in Lansing about it to showcase Mo-Buddy at the state level.

In addition, the students and their mentors complete a school improvement project each year, said Aiken. Last year, they created a garden in front of the high school.

Special education peers who may not be able to do some of the courses offered at the Delta-Schoolcraft Intermediate School District (DSISD) can allow their mentor to assist them, said Aiken. Some buddies participate in welding, automotive, and construction courses because they have someone who can help them with their assigned tasks, noted Aiken, adding this program changes both the mentor and buddies’ lives.

At the end of the semester, each mentor is asked to do a peer review about the Mo-Buddy program and its effectiveness. Due to confidentiality reasons, the names of the students were not permitted to be published.

One mentor wrote in her review “I have learned patience and to be sensitive because many kids come from unfortunate circumstances.”

Another wrote what the program means and what a difference it can make.

“I’ve learned that we really can make a difference in our Mo-Buddy’s lives,” he wrote. “Kids look up to us and know that they can talk to us about anything if they need.”

Others described their buddy as ” a great friend,”and it helps “make friends.”