TeamMates to be honored Friday

McCOOK, Neb. — TeamMates coordinators and staff are saying thank you to mentors for simply being there for students in McCook.

January 1 marked the start of National Mentoring Month. Nationwide, programs are honoring mentors for their service and the impact they’re making on youth.

The McCook Chapter is celebrating by having a TeamMates Recognition Night on Friday at the home basketball games. Matches will get in for free, and those in attendance will be recognized on the court at halftime of the girls’ game. Additionally, pizza parties for TeamMates matches over lunch are planned for later this month at each of the buildings where mentoring occurs (Central Elementary, McCook Junior High, and McCook Senior High).

“We are grateful for every TeamMates mentor,” TeamMates Executive Director Sarah Waldman explained. “Every TeamMates mentor I speak with talks about how mentoring has been an incredibly positive experience for them. I hope more caring adults will join us so they too can experience the positive impact of mentoring.” 

The mission of the TeamMates Mentoring Program is to impact the world by inspiring youth to reach their full potential. TeamMates serves more than 10,000 youth in 170+ communities across Nebraska, Wyoming, Kansas, South Dakota, and Iowa. Mentors meet with their mentees one-on-one in school, once a week, during the academic year.

Mentees can be nominated one of three ways. They can be nominated by a parent, a school staff member, or self-nomination. Mentors are not tutors, counselors, nor are they there to “fix” anything— they’re there to be friends. Mentors are matched with mentees based on interests and life experiences.

To schedule an interview about the TeamMates Mentoring Program, please contact Hannah Miller at Hannah@teammates.org or Janae Solomon at jsolomon@mccookbiso.org or 344-4532.