Teammates seeking more mentors

Program assists students through the growing years

SIDNEY -- Sometimes making the decision or having a positive view on life starts with having someone a teen or child can look up to, confide in. That's where Teammates comes in.

"Teammates is a program that has been around Sidney for a while. We're in the process of rebuilding it. We are looking for mentors right now to pair with our mentees. We're trying to get 30 mentors by the end of December to join with us in making a positive impact on our community," said  Ashlee Sintler, mentor and Teammates board member.

The basic requirement to be a mentor is pretty minimal. A mentor is required to commit the equivalent to a lunch hour weekly. 

"It takes an hour of your time, once a week, or less. It takes an hour, a kid's lunch hour basically. You just come in, you sit with them. You play games or do whatever interests the kid. You're just there to help them. Teammates itself is open from 5th to 12th grade. It really depends on how many mentors you can get and what you can open yourself up to," said Caleb Jones, also a board member and mentor. 

Jones said it is possible for an adult to mentor more than one student. The program is scheduled with the school year; no summer commitments.

The major benefit of the program is helping a child who needs help, whatever he or she is struggling with, which could be a myriad of things according to Jones. The mentor gets just as much out of the program knowing they have helped someone.

"That was the reason I signed up for it, knowing there are kids out there that need that extra person. To be able to do that for someone is great," Jones said.

Sintler and Jones said the program is not only for students with emotional or behavioral challenges; it is open to anyone.

To be a mentor, see the Teammates of Sidney Facebook page, or contact Lacey Russell and Ashley Fehringer, or any of the board members. The application is available through Teammates.org. Their goal is to have 30 mentors by December.

About TeamMates: The About TeamMates Mentoring Program began in 1991 with the vision of University of Nebraska Head Football Coach Tom Osborne and his wife Nancy. That year 22 football players met with middle school students in Lincoln Public Schools. Coach Osborne felt that the athletes in his program could make an impact on the academic success of these middle school students. Of those 22 original mentees, 21 graduated from high school, and 18 went on to graduate from post-secondary programs.