By Stephanie Caron-Editor-in-Chief 

The struggles of not being at school in person and not having social interaction is extremely hard. To help with these difficult times, the Natural Helpers are having their first “Helper Hangout” program Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1-2 p.m. for anyone who needs support or for anyone who just wants to talk to someone. Advocate’s Editor-in-Chief Stephanie Caron interviewed Natural Helpers President Makenna Sharpe about the upcoming event. 

Stephanie Caron: What do you and the natural helpers hope to achieve with the new “Helper Hangout?”

Makenna Sharpe: We want to provide a place where students can go to to find support from their fellow peers, or just have a place to go to make new friends. 

SC: What can students expect from the “Helper Hangout?” 

MS: During the Hangout, students can expect to just have a fun time and be able to talk freely about whatever they need.

SC: During the hour of the Hangout what will those who attend do? 

MS: We have some ice breakers set up just to get the conversation started, but we also have some fun games we can play if the students wish to do so. 

SC: Do you guys plan on continuing to do this even when we go back to school? 

MS: Yes, we do plan on continuing this once we go back to school, and if possible we want to find a way to do it in person instead of over Zoom. 

SC: How do you think this can benefit students while we are doing Tier 3 learning? 

MS: We want this to help reduce loneliness during online learning this time around, and we want the students to feel like they have a safe place to go to and talk.