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TeamMates in Elmwood, Nebraska's Newsletter

Conversation Starter: What qualities do you value?

Ask your mentee "Which teacher, coach, or other school worker is a positive role model for you? What qualities do you value in her or him?"

Keep the ball rolling and talk about what qualities you value and who demonstrates them. Whats next? Set a goal - pick one quality and try to demonstrate it as much as possible before your next mentoring session.

For example "I admire my boss because she smiles at everyone and is really positive." Ask your mentee to try it out for a week! Dont forget to follow up and see what happened.

Activity of the Day

Hand down a hobby by teaching your mentee a skill, such as quilting, model building, or card tricks.

Teammates of Holt County Sets Ambitious Goals

O’NEILL NE – On September 2, The TeamMates Mentoring Program gathered board members for strategic planning and creating a vision statement for the program. The vision for TeamMates of Holt County is to serve 50 youth by 2013 and to have matches meet 24 or more times annually. To realize this vision, the board will be recruiting new mentors, board members and educating the community on the impact of mentoring in the lives of youth.

TeamMates Executive Director, Suzanne Hince was on hand to provide the planning. “We are very excited about the new vision for TeamMates of Holt County. The commitment to youth in the community is evident by the quality of the volunteers associated with the program. We are grateful to the mentors and board members who are willing to give of their time and talents to young people,” said Hince.

In July, Holt County TeamMates received a grant of $2500 from the Norfolk Area United Way for support and expansion of the existing program. This grant helps cover the costs associated with recruiting and training qualified mentors.

Community members interested in mentoring or supporting the program should contact Joshua Davis at402-340-4411 or hcteammates@gmx.com

Former Miss Columbus aims to help TeamMates Mentoring Program

Article from the Stamford Advocate - Click here to link to the full article.

COLUMBUS, Neb. (AP) — Columbus' youth will have more mentors thanks to an effort by Heather Loseke.

The former Miss Columbus embarked on a challenge to businesses this year to increase mentoring in the community. Called the Miss Columbus Business Challenge, it kicked off at the start of the year.

Businesses were encouraged to increase their number of employees who mentor. The organization that showed the greatest increase was rewarded with a visit by Tom Osborne, founder of the TeamMates mentoring program.

The Business Challenge concluded May 15. Winning the challenge was Columbus Family Practice. Osborne recently spent an afternoon luncheon with the group at Wunderlich's.

Loseke said her goal was to get 20 mentors. She spoke to approximately 50 businesses about the benefits of mentoring. In the end, 25 people signed up to mentor and another 14 pledged to volunteer with TeamMates, Big Pals-Little Pals and Youth For Christ.

Ten of the new mentors came from Columbus Family Practice. That accounts for about half of the office employees. Office manager Tracy Goos said she welcomed Loseke into the office to speak to employees about mentoring. She herself signed up for TeamMates.

Goos said she didn't know how many from her office would choose to be mentors. She feels it will be beneficial for all involved.

"I hope it will be a win-win situation for the mentors and the mentees. I hope they will make an impact on the youth. I know what great people they are and how much of an impact they can make," Goos said.

Loseke's platform issue when she was crowned Miss Columbus in 2009 was building strong mentoring relationships. She herself was mentored as a child through Youth For Christ and later volunteered with TeamMates when she was in college.

When approaching businesses about mentoring, Loseke pushed the benefits that employers could experience by allowing employees to mentor. Some of those benefits include better production and attitudes from employees.

Loseke said one of the biggest questions mentors have is if they are really making a difference. A youth might not remember all the encouragement and guidance from a mentor, but they will take one thing with them.

"What they are going to remember is that you are consistently there caring for them. That's that biggest impact you make on their life," Loseke said.

Mentoring, she said, is like a friendship where support and investment in a young person's life is a priority.

"The more mentors we can have in our community, the better place it will be," Loseke said.

The biggest struggle for mentoring organizations is finding people willing to be a mentor.

"The hardest thing is to recruit mentors. Sometimes it is a lot easier to write a check than to give of your time and to give of your personal resources," Osborne said.

TeamMates has 4,300 kids who are being mentored in 116 communities. But Osborne said in most communities, there is at least one-third more kids who would like a mentor than they have mentors.

A mentor really provides three ingredients that can help a young person, Osborne said. That includes unconditional caring, affirmation and providing a vision. Many kids don't have caring adults in their lives on a consistent basis. Mentoring can help fill that void.

Organizations like TeamMates pushes education. Studies have shown it is having a positive effect in that area. Children who are mentored show improvement in several areas, including better school attendance, fewer disciplinary referrals and better grades.

But mentoring reaches beyond the classroom. It can help a child see beyond his or her own problems they are experiencing at home and strive for a better future for themselves.

"The thing about mentoring that is important is that it is really about breaking cycles," Osborne said.

Teammates of Holdrege Recieves Award For Outstanding Program

Article posted on the Holdredge Public Schools Webage.

TeamMates of Holdrege was the recipient of the 2009-10 Outstanding TeamMates Program Award for the Western Region at the TeamMates Partnership Meeting in Lincoln on July 27th.

The following tribute was announced (The tribute was on the large framed plaque that Mary Schneider is holding). The Holdrege program has been strong and steady since day one of existence. With a board that is passionate, teamed up with coordinators that are committed, and school and community that is supportive, this program has had the ingredients for success from the beginning! Holdrege TeamMates has done a fabulous job developing a "culture of mentoring" in their community. The board and coordinators work hard providing extra activities and events to give matches the opportunity to spend more time together, which is part of the reason why their matches are strong and of good quality. The other part is the care given to make good matches based on interests. Thank you Holdrege, you are a program to look up to!

Jean Berreckman and Mary Schneider were very excited to receive this award. "It is worth every minute of time that we have put in the program. We currently have 53 student mentees matched up with 53 adult mentors in grades sixth through eighth. We are in need of more adults to volunteer to be mentors to our new group of fifth grade students here at Holdrege Middle School", said Jean Berreckman (co-oordinator of the TeamMates program). "We have a very supportive administration and TeamMates Advisory board that has been instrumental in getting us started," said Mary Schneider (co-oordinator of TeamMates program).

A TeamMates Mentor is someone who provides a young person with support, friendship, and a positive example. TeamMates asks that you make a commitment of meeting with your student mentee for one hour a week in a school setting for a minimum of one year. When you meet with your mentor you may have lunch, talk, you may pick an activity to do such as a board game, go in the gym shoot baskets, make a craft put together a puzzle or a model car or cook etc. What is involved in getting started, three easy steps: #1 Apply - Complete the mentor application #2 Train - Take training to prepare you for the experience #3 Match - Meet your mentee.

***There is an up-coming information/training night on Monday, August 30th from 5:30-6:30 P.M. in the Holdrege Middle School Media Center. You are invited to come find out what the TeamMates Mentoring Program is all about. Mentors are needed for our new fifth grade class!

Bring a friend, or relative - COME JOIN THE TEAM! Call Mary or Jean at995-5421 if you have questions.
Jean Berreckman and Mary Schneider Co-oordinators of the Holdredge TeamMates Mentoring Program

Talent for TeamMates Competition

Lincoln, NE Public School Students – Grades 6 through 12! Represent your school and compete for prizes*!

The Talent for TeamMates Competition will be held Sunday, Oct. 3rd at St. Mark’s Church, 8550 Pioneers Blvd. from 4 to 6 pm.

Music acts from Lincoln Public Schools are invited to participate in the first ever, city-wide talent competition - Talent for TeamMates!

To perform, students must audition. Taping events are scheduled at all LPS middle and high schools starting September 1st. Check www.lincolnteammates.org/newsandevents/events.htm for audition guidelines and the school schedules.

*One high school and one middle school act will win an opportunity to perform at the Lied Center for Performing Arts and a $100 gift certificate to Dietz Music House.

Advanced tickets available through the Lincoln TeamMates office (402) 436-1990; $5 students/youth (w/valid ID) or $10 adults.
At the door: $10 students/youth (w/valid ID) or $15 adults.

All ticket sales from the event go to support the Lincoln TeamMates mentoring program.

For more information: www.lincolnteammates.org or 436-1990

Teammates Mentoring needs Mentors

KVSH (Valentine, NE) posted an article on their website about TeamMates!

The Valentine Chapter of Teammates Board of Directors met yesterday at the Valentine Middle School. The summary of last year’s successful program showed 24 mentors in the schools.

CLICK HERE to link to the full article

Twarling named head of mentoring program

The North Platte Telegraph
By Heather Johnson | Wednesday, August 25, 2010 4:11 AM CDT

Just three months after leaving his post as associate superintendent of the North Platte Public Schools, Dan Twarling has made good on his promise to stay involved with youth and the community.

He has been named coordinator of the area chapter of the TeamMates Mentoring Program. His experience includes 37 years in the public education system.

"I couldn't stay away. I'm really excited about this and have some lofty goals," said Twarling. "There are currently 25 mentors, and the goal is to increase that to 100. TeamMates is also going to become more visible in the community. Today's young people are tomorrow's future and anything we can do to help them benefits us all."

CLICK HERE to read the full story ....

The Columbus Telegram - Loseke makes her mark with mentoring challenge

By Julie Blum jblum@columbustelegram.com The Columbus Telegram. CLICK HERE to link to the full article at The Columbus Telegram.

COLUMBUS — Columbus’ youth will have more mentors thanks to an effort by Heather Loseke.

The former Miss Columbus embarked on a challenge to businesses this year to increase mentoring in the community. Called the Miss Columbus Business Challenge, it kicked off at the start of the year.

Businesses were encouraged to increase their number of employees who mentor. The organization that showed the greatest increase was rewarded with a visit by Tom Osborne, founder of the TeamMates mentoring program.

The Business Challenge concluded May 15. Winning the challenge was Columbus Family Practice. Osborne spent an afternoon luncheon with the group Thursday at Wunderlich’s.

CLICK HERE to link to the full article at The Columbus Telegram.

1011 Kearney

Click on the picture below to link to 1011's website. They've posted a great video about the need for mentors! Thanks 1011!!

Kearney Hub Article

UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA Athletics Director Tom Osborne speaks to an audience at Kearney’s Hilltop Mall Friday. Osborne talked to Nebraska fans about the TeamMates Mentoring Program founded by him and his wife, Nancy. Rick Tucker, Kearney Hub
Below is an article from the Kearney Hub. Click HERE to visit the Kearney Hub's website and link to the full article.



The need for youth mentors brought Nebraska Athletics Director Tom Osborne to Kearney Friday afternoon.

Speaking at a Tailgate for TeamMates at Hilltop Mall, Osborne made a plea for volunteers to assist in the TeamMates Mentoring Program founded by him and his wife, Nancy.

The program currently mentors 4,300 youths in 16 communities in Iowa and Nebraska, “and we’re shooting for 5,000,” he said.

But the program has one-third more youngsters who would like a mentor than there are available mentors.

“And I know that’s the case in Kearney,” Osborne said.

Kearney has approximately 100 mentors participating in the program, and Osborne was scheduled to speak later Friday at a similar gathering for the program in Hershey, a town with the population of 600 that also has about 100 mentors.

“That’s the kind of commitment they’ve made to young people,” he said.

Being a mentor requires about one hour per week meeting with the youth, and all that is required is someone who cares, somebody who affirms and someone who provides a vision.

Each school has a coordinator who matches mentors with the students and the TeamMates program provides the training.

Osborne said students in the program have experienced a lower dropout rate, higher grades and fewer disciplinary problems.

“Eighty-five percent of our young people show improvement in attendance … and if in-school attendance is getting better, everything is getting better,” Osborne said.

Tom Osborne Visits Hershey, NE TeamMates Mentoring Program

By Mark Obermeier
Published: Saturday, August 21, 2010 4:10 AM CDT
North Platte Telegraph


HERSHEY - How many lives have been affected by the Teammates Mentoring Program? How many students have stayed in school, graduated and gone on to college?

Dr. Tom Osborne stopped by Hershey Friday night to shed a little light on the mentoring program's success and to thank the patrons of Hershey for all that they do in helping young individuals.

Tom and Nancy Osborne could not have imagined the program's success that was developed 19 years ago after watching a television show one evening.

"We were watching a television program one evening that told about an individual that was trying to help troubled youth," Osborne said. "The gentleman told the kids that if they would just stay in school and graduate, he would pay for their college education."

After the TV program, Osborne said he asked Nancy if there was something they could do for the Lincoln community. When they put their heads together, the TeamMates Mentoring Program was born.


Osborne approached the Nebraska football team to see if there was any interest in working with the youth of Lincoln. Twenty-two athletes volunteered to help seventh and eighth grade students in the cities junior highs.

"I knew that Nancy and I couldn't afford to send all the students to college," said Osborne. "But I told them if they graduated, we would find a way.

"By the time they graduated, the money was there with a lot of help. All 22 graduated and 18 of those went to college."

From those first 22 students and mentors, the program now has grown to 4,300 members in 116 communities. Most of the programs are in Nebraska but eight are in western Iowa and Osborne has traveled to San Diego to help start a program there.

Osborne had nothing but praise for the Hershey mentor/mentee program.

"Hershey is the poster child for the mentoring program," said Osborne. "They have shown a tremendous amount of interest in helping youth. I want to thank Hershey for wanting to take care of their young people."

Osborne went on to talk about the benefits that he sees in the mentoring program.

"It helps keep kids out of trouble," Osborne said. "Not that all of them would [get in trouble], but it keeps them on the right path."

Osborne said that there are about 75 percent less problems once a student enters the program and about half of the students get better grades. He also stated how the program was well worth the cost.

"It costs about $460 a year per student," he said. "It is cost effective and a tremendous return in our investment."

Osborne said there are actually more kids that want mentored than we have mentors. So there is still a need for more volunteers.

"It is all about building relationships," he said. "It is a one-on-one relationship that hopefully continues through graduation."

Osborne said there are three things that every mentor should do: (1) They should care unconditionally and want the best for their mentee; (2) They need to provide affirmation and really believe in the mentee; (3) They need to provide a vision

Osborne went on to say the mentors want to provide a vision for the kids in identifying their strengths and reinforcing them.

"Successful people don't worry about what they can't do," said Osborne. "If just one person can find help, he can help others. It is the ripple affect, it can last forever."

Link the the full article HERE.

LOCAL MENTORING PROGRAM CERTIFIED BY THE IOWA MENTORING PARTNERSHIP

Certified mentoring programs expand in communities across the state

TeamMates Mentoring Program is happy to announce that TeamMates of the Missouri Valley was awarded full certification with the Iowa Mentoring Partnership. The Iowa Mentoring Partnership, a state government agency that is supported by the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service, strives to increase the capacity of local mentoring programs by providing statewide opportunities for training, recognition, resource-development, technical assistance and much more.

As the certifying body for local mentoring programs in our state, the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service is proud to announce that PROGRAM recently gained program (re)certification with the Iowa Mentoring Partnership. PROGRAM joins a network of more than 80 mentoring programs that have gained certification status with the Iowa Mentoring Partnership and are committed to upholding quality mentoring services for children and youth.

PROGRAM will also work to ensure Governor Chet Culver’s 2009 proclamation that “every child in the state have the tools and resources necessary to succeed.”

Share statewide mentoring data and insert a paragraph or two about the mentoring program. Be sure to mention how individuals can connect with the program and become a mentor.

Contact:
TeamMates Mentoring Program
402-390-8326

Iowa Mentoring Partnership
(800) 308-5987

Bellevue Leader Features an Article about local TeamMates Chapter

TeamMates, the youth mentoring program founded by Tom and Nancy Osborne, is looking for volunteer mentors for about 100 Bellevueelementary, middle and high school students. The organization hopes to find at least 50 new mentorsthis year, said Jesse Hopkins, the TeamMates coordinator for Bellevue PublicSchools.

"It's an amazing opportunity for both BellevuePublic Schools and TeamMates," Hopkins said. "We've got a lot ofpeople who are looking to volunteer somewhere, but they just don't know whereto go. The TeamMates program is an excellent opportunity."

TeamMates was awarded a $55,000 grant from MidlandsMentoring Partnership to expand its presence in Bellevue. The grant allowed forthe hiring of Hopkins and a screening and retention specialist for themetropolitan area.

"TeamMates is definitely an exemplary mentoringprogram," said Deborah Neary, executive director of Midlands MentoringPartnership. "We're thrilled that they are willing to keep expandingbecause the need for mentors is really huge in our local communities."

TeamMates volunteers spend about an hour a week duringschool hours meeting one-on-one with youths through high school graduation.

Volunteers have to pass a background check, after whichthey are matched with a student from third to 12th grade with similarinterests.

Anyone interested in volunteering can apply at www.teammates.org or contact Hopkins orBill Richards at the Lied Activity Center by calling 293-5000.



Teammates PSA

Mentoring program showing success, needs more help

Friday, August 13, 2010

McCook Daily Gazette

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The local branch of a mentoring program started by Tom Osborne is showing positive results, according to a program official.
The latest annual metrics indicated that students involved with the McCook TeamMates program had 100 percent fewer absences than they did before they became part of the program, according to Dennis Berry, TeamMates president.


CLICK HERE to read the full story......

TeamMates of Gothenberg, NE Earns Awards of Distinction

The Gothenberg Times printed a great article about TeamMates of Gothenberg!

Check out the full article by clicking on the picture below.

TEAMMATES MENTORING PROGRAM HOLDS GALA KICKOFF

A kickoff for the TeamMates Gala was held in June at the 94/95 Club on 180th and Pacific. Committee members learned about the importance of mentoring young people from TeamMates Mentoring Program founder Tom Osborne. The 2010 Gala, Tailgate for TeamMates, will be held on Friday October 29th at the Embassy Suites Conference Center in LaVista, NE. The guest speakers will be Warren Buffett and Keith Jackson. Buffett is an investor, businessman and philanthropist. He is regarded as one of the world’s greatest stock market investors and is the largest shareholder and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway. Keith Jackson is an American sportscaster, known for his long career with ABC Sports and his coverage of college football.


Honorary Chairmen for the Teammates Gala are Mike and Lin Simmonds. General Chairmen are Scott and Danielle Bunz and Chuck and Christine Stevens. Committee members are Curt and Pat Brannon, Gayle and Jody Carstens Janet and Steve Chambers, Terry and Lisa Connealy, Kris and Jessica Covi, Stacey and Kevin Falk, Paul and Dawn Gonzales, Brad and Kate Grabill, Aaron and Kim Graham, Matt and Lisa Gravelle, Tom and Jenny Haase, John and Victoria Halgren, Suzanne and Jason Hince, Jeff and Kristi Jacobs, Jill and Mike Johnson, Chad and Carie Kelsay, Tim and Kari Kudron, Chuck and Kristin Lewis, Claudia and Anthony Messineo, Susie and Don Nelson, Dan and Darcy Pleasant, Greg and Lisa Russell, and Chris and Diana Tribulato.