Recent News
TeamMates plan special events for National Mentoring Month
Making the one hour difference
Nearly one-half of the more than 700 TeamMates mentors come from a faith-based background. A majority of those mentors attend one of 10 Lincoln churches who are formal faith-based partners or friends of TeamMates. Partners actively encourage members to consider becoming a TeamMates mentor as an option for ministry or community involvement.
During January, National Mentoring Month, TeamMates faith-based partners will participate in celebrating mentoring with special events.
The TeamMates Mentoring Program encourages everyone to reflect on the role mentors have played in their lives and to thank them.
Nebraska Football Coach Tom and Nancy Osborne started TeamMates in 1991. Today, more than 85 TeamMates chapters in Nebraska and Iowa communities serve over 4,000 students in grades 4-12, including more than 700 mentors in the Lincoln schools. And yet, many more students still want a mentor.
TeamMates mentors are people over the age of 18 who have a heart for young people, a desire to help the community, and one hour a week to commit to a student.
TeamMates mentors are matched with students to provide friendship and positive role-modeling. Mentors and mentees meet one-on-one once a week for an hour at the school during the school day. They meet throughout the school year. The school connection tells youth that school is important and results show an improvement in grades, attendance and behavior.
Lincoln TeamMates will be celebrating mentors throughout the month:
January 17 and 24: Teaming Up for TeamMates Sundays. TeamMates' faith-based partners will highlight their mentors and the program during one of the special Sundays.
January 21: Official Thank You Mentor Day, a day to recognize mentors. Lincoln TeamMates will host a Recognition Luncheon and fundraiser at noon at the Lincoln Station. Cost is $100 per plate. Special speaker will be Joe Moglia, former CEO of TD Ameritrade and author of Coach Yourself to Success: Winning the Investment Game. For more information or to register, contact Lincoln TeamMates at 402-436-1990, or online at lincolnteammates.org. The Tony and Carmen Messineo Community Involvement Award will be given during the luncheon to Southwood Lutheran, the Reverend Greg Bouvier of Sheridan Lutheran, Nelnet, US Bank, and Lincoln Public Schools Superintendent Susan Gourley.
January 21: TeamMates will host mentors, mentees, and school staff at a Recognition Dinner in the evening at the Lincoln Station.
For more information, contact Lincoln TeamMates at 402-436-1990 or online at lincolnteammates.org.
