CANFIELD — While they were in middle school, friends Chris Sammarone and Michael Minenok were inspired when students from the high school came, bringing peers from the special needs classes, for lunch.

Once they were able, they signed up for an elective, allowing them to participate, although a bit differently due to COVID-19.

Together, they have been part of Helping Hands, a program where students visit Alicia Muzina’s class.

For Sammarone and Minenok, both 19 and senior athletes, the program has been worthwhile.

“I think it’s very rewarding and it’s very beneficial,” Minenok said.

Minenok is hopeful the experience he has gained with the program will translate to his nursing degree he will pursue in the fall, and beyond.

“Being able to work with and communicate and connect with the kids goes a long way,” he said.

Although he’s undecided, Sammarone is considering several options of study in the fall at Youngstown State University: education, criminal justice or perhaps nursing.

“This class is such a great way to build relationships with people that you typically wouldn’t,” he said, adding Helping Hands teaches compassion and kindness.

Those lessons can be applied to everyday life beyond the classroom, Sammarone said.

Muzina, an intervention specialist at Canfield High School, oversees Helping Hands, which was started in Canfield High School in 2000 by a former teacher.

“There were so many students on their study hall that wanted to work with special needs students,” Muzina said.

The program has typical students that visit her special needs students to do coursework together.

When students sign up for Helping Hands, they have the option to stay at the high school, or visit one of the other schools in the district.

Similar programs exist around the country, Muzina said, and even closer to home, other districts have reached out for guidance on how to build their own school’s version of Helping Hands.

At CHS, “there is a huge response,” Muzina said.

“It is very rewarding,” she said. So much so, that after taking Helping Hands, some students decide to pursue special education in college.

Once they partake in Helping Hands, Muzina said students realize there are many similarities between everyone.

“A lot of the students don’t realize the capabilities of my students. They don’t realize they just want to be like any other student,” Muzina said, noting her students want boyfriends and girlfriends or to attend prom.

A challenge of sorts last year, as with most everything else, was how to navigate the class with a raging pandemic. The class was completely virtual.

In contrast, Minenok said he was “nervous” this year because he wasn’t sure what to expect.

“One thing I can say that shocked me is the relationships I’ve built,” he said. “We’ve established a bond.”

Typically, the program will promote opportunities to work in the community or go on field trips, Minenok said.

Limited to the classroom, school work, games and simple conversations are had.

Both Sammarone and Minenok agreed students should consider taking the program.

Students weighing the program should likely have an outgoing personality, and “not be afraid of the kids,” Minenok said.

“You have to have fun,” Sammarone said. The opportunity, he said, “has been a joy.”