CHAMPAIGN-URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — For more than three decades, two Central Illinois school districts have created a space for people in the community to connect with students.

Champaign-Urbana’s one-to-one mentor program is kicking off again for another school year. Public schools in each district host the program once a week during school hours. The mentors help students with anything but school.

They are there to be a listening ear, to have fun, to get to know their mentee and to support them.

In its 31st year, C-U One-to-One Mentoring matches community-based adults with students from third to seventh grade, with the goal that the pair stays together all the way to graduation. It’s the only cross-district program between the two school districts, and it’s currently serving 500 kids.

Students are eligible when nominated by a teacher, parent, or by nominating themselves. But the kids aren’t the only ones walking away changed from this experience.

“So, students benefit. They will say, ‘I love having somebody that comes just to see me, that listens to me, that enjoys my company,'” Champaign School District Community Outreach Coordinator, Lauren Smith, said. “One mentor said, and a lot of mentors this is true for, that ‘I thought I could come in and make a difference to students. Little did I know what a big change it would be for me and what a difference it would make for me.'”

But the support doesn’t end at graduation.

Separate from the school districts, the One-to-One Scholarship Foundation raises money to offer scholarships to seniors. The only qualifications are that they graduate from high school, have been in the program for three year, and are pursuing post-secondary education.