Problem:  Many kids struggle to make friends or need someone in which to confide.  The Future Forward class of NHS taught by Mr. McDonough propose a solution.  

Solution:  Travis McDonough suggests an idea to the class to create a safe place for students and impact N.J.S.D.’s area elementary schools.   

The students brainstorm ideas of ways to help loney kids open up and possibly make new friends.  The decision is made to create benches to help another child draw the attention of finding a friend or someone to talk to and not feel alone.  The class then decides to create “buddy benches” for elementary schools in the area.  

The goal of the “buddy bench” is to have a place or location for a student to go when he or she feels lonely or needs someone.  The student sits on the bench, which draws attention for another student to accompany the other student in hopes to give that person someone to talk to and to no longer feel alone.

The project began with a generous fundraiser at  the Lion’s Tail in downtown Neenah to prevent bullying.  The frame of the benches are manufactured by Neenah Foundry.  The students of the Future Forward classes contact some of the area elementary schools to put the finishing touches on the benches.  The elementary school students are given the opportunity to splatter paint the benches themselves.  

The wooden seats and backs of the benches are a special wood from Neu’s Lumber in Germantown.

Throughout the course of making these benches, it produces positive impacts on the Future Forward students by showing them awareness, teaching them leadership, and using manufacturing skills to solve real world problems.