TeamMates seeks adults as mentors

Time is of the essence to volunteer and make a difference for a youth in our community. CEDARS Southwest Nebraska is now coordinating the TeamMates Mentoring Program in McCook. TeamMates Mentoring Program was started by Dr. Tom and Nancy Osborne in 1991 as a program that matches adult volunteers with students in middle and junior high schools.

TeamMates adult mentors serve as positive role models that pledge to meet with a student for an hour each week, during school hours.

"This is designed to be a long-term commitment. We envision a mentor and mentee establishing a growing relationship," explained Janeen Miller, CEDARS TeamMates Program Coordinator.

CEDARS anticipates pairing 45 students with adult mentors through the TeamMates program. Janeen Miller will work with school counselors, teachers and principals to obtain student referrals. She will match mentors with students, monitor the program and provide orientation for both mentors and mentees.

Jo Bingham, of Partners in Parenting, and Mary Bargen, of the Family Resource Center will assist in volunteer training.

Funding for TeamMates was arranged through a grant for the Southwest Nebraska Child Advocacy Team from the Nebraska Children and Families Foundation. The McCook Sertoma club also donated approximately $450 to the program.

"Our young people face different challenges today that affect them personally. If we are going to make a difference, we have to get involved with them as one-to-one mentors" said Dr. Tom Osborne.

If you would like to be a mentor, have questions or would like to support the TeamMates Mentoring Program in McCook, please contact Janeen Miller, (308) 345-7783 or email jamiller @cedars-kids.org