TeamMates looks for volunteers

With back to school looming on the fore front of the minds of parents and youth alike, TeamMates program is gearing up for the school year and looking for volunteers.

TeamMates mentors are positive examples in students' lives providing them with support and friendship. Mentors are volunteers and meet with their mentee in a school setting an hour a week for a minimum of a year. Having that one on one time the pair spend their hour playing games, reading and discussing books, making crafts or just talking. The school offers the media center, gym and home education rooms for the programs use.

Once you make the commitment to be a mento, the student chosen to be paired with you is your mentee until they hit that pivotal graduation mark.

TeamMates also encourages students beyond High School offering planning for after high school graduation, scholarship opportunities, and mentoring for mentees pursuing more education or training after graduation.

The program has current participates in Nebraska and Iowa, as well as in San Diego, and California helping more than 7,000 youth. There are currently 130 mentors and mentees in the Sidney area with a list of 25 students waiting for mentors.

TeamMates Sidney chapter recently had their first class of mentees graduate in May, most of whom have been in the program from it's inception.

Earlier this month, letters were sent out to the public in an effort to raise funds for the program. According to the letter, the cost of supporting a match for a year is around $435, which cover background checks, supplies, activities, training and administrative expenses.

For more information on becoming a mentor or to donate to the program contact Co-Program Coordinator Angie Jacobsen at 308-254-5166 or email her at [email protected].