On June 21, 2024 we heard about the Teammates program from coordinator Jim Bennett.
Jim shared that TeamMates was an idea of Nancy Osborn. It started in 1991 by Coach Tom Osborn who thought that football players would have a good influence on middle school students. When he talked about it with the players, 22 raised their hands to participate. Those football players began meeting with middle school students. 21 of those students graduated, the final one had been pursuing a Motocross career but returned to get his GED.
Of the original 22, the success continued - 18 of them obtained some sort of post-secondary education.They knew that they had something and they started building the TeamMates structure.
The program that started in Lincoln has grown - there are programs in 5 different states with 10,000 mentors and mentees. There are currently 1300 matches in Lincoln. TeamMates in Lincoln currently has 500 mentees on a waitlist. They have trained over 300 new mentors this year and, so far in June, 85 have been trained.
We learned from Jim that Lincoln has become a "mentoring community". Besides TeamMates there is Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Boys and Girls Clubs and more. The groups formed the Lincoln Youth Mentoring Coalition. You can find all of the organizations at https://mentorlnk.org/.
Jim said that almost anyone can be a mentor - if you can play UNO or Connect4 you have the skills. Be thoughtful, listen and most important be consistent.
- the meetings are one-on-one and conducted at school
- meetings are during the school year and the mentor schedule is kept in mind as well as avoiding core class times
- consistency is important - be there - though it may not be possible to meet every week the goal is a minimum of 24
- matches are based on common interest and life experiences
TeamMates core values:
- They are committed to the student - "Is it good for kids?"
- Safety for all - meeting in school helps ensure the safety for all
- Integrity and trust - they trust the mentors with the mentees
- Inclusion - there are mentors and mentees of all nationalities, economic statuses, etc.
- Focus on strengths - program was first designed working with Don Clifton
There are many benefits to mentoring. It is good for youth, good for the mentor and good for the community. Many companies have signed on to the TeamMates program. their employees become for effective and are happier at work after engaging in a mentoring relationship.
Results of a recent TeamMates survey of mentees in Lincoln (700 students interviewed):
- 100% of the mentees trust their mentors
- 100% of the mentees feel that their mentor cares for them
- 98% of the mentees state that they talk about strengths and talents - it builds conficence
- 95% of the mentees are hopeful about their future - they are encouraged about their life
The mentees are 3rd to 12th grade students. They have permission from their parents and they have asked to be in the program. When choosing a mentee, there are some top fators. First if they have unmet leadership or academic potential that may grow with a mentoring relationship. The student may be seeking ways to improve relationships with their peers or family members.
Another consideration is Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) that they are facing without sufficient support. Those ACEs would be things like divorce, emotional neglect and substance abuse at home. Mentoring can counteract ACEs.
Students in mentoring relationships have better attendance, get better grades and behave better. Mentees get a scholarship from TeamMates Lincoln upon graduation. They may get larger scholarships from TeamMates National.
Watching a video compilation of mentee comments about their relationships included:
- She helped direct me on the right path
- They help kids like me who are slightly different
- I don't have a lot of good adult influence so I appreciated this time
- I learned it is okay to ask for help
- It was nice to see another perspective through the eyes of my mentor
- I am encouraged to be the best me I can be
- I am excited about going to college now
BIO:
Jim serves as the Coordinator for TeamMates of Lincoln since the start of the 2018-2019 school year. Jim has spent 25 years working with youth in Lincoln and in Topeka, Kansas and has 14 years with the Lincoln Public Schools. Jim has also served as the statewide Director for Supervision Services for the Administrative Office of Probation – Juvenile Services Division for 5 years prior to his time with TeamMates. Jim has a Bachelors’ degree in Psychology from the University of Nebraska and a Masters’s degree in Counseling from Doane University.