TeamMates is a program which impacts the world by inspiring youth to reach their full potential through mentoring. It is important because it makes a positive difference for both mentees and mentors. Through TeamMates, each mentee has an additional caring adult in their life. This helps students increase attendance, increase academic performance, and decrease disciplinary referrals. It also gives students something to look forward to each week, since the matches meet once a week. Teammates started 15 t o20 years ago at Elwood Public Schools. This year we have 30 matches in the TeamMates program. The goal is to have 35 matches by the end of the school year!
The mentees do all sorts of activities with their mentor, such as board games, arts and crafts, and physical exercise. They attend three annual parties: at the beginning of the year, before Christmas, and at the end of the year. They work at least one concession stand per year, and will hopefully go to the Husker spring game in April!