McCook TeamMates getting ready to kick off another year

McCOOK, Neb. - Teammates mentoring program began in 1991 with the vision of Coach Tom Osborn and his wife Nancy. Coach Osborne felt that the athletes in his program could make an impact on the middle school students and 22 football players began meeting with middle school students in the Lincoln Public Schools. TeamMates has grown to serve thousands of boys and girls across the Midwest. In McCook, TeamMates was founded in 2004 with Dennis Berry and Van Korell who were instrumental in getting the program started and Janeen Miller serving as the first Coordinator, from 2004 to 2006.

Today, 73 students from 4th grade to 12th grade currently are matched with an adult. The program is simple. One adult paired to a kiddo with similar interest, once a week for a class or lunch period. This is not a tutoring session, but simply meetings where they talk over things, get to know each other or play games and become a forever friend. A mentor is an adult who wants to be there for them no matter what. The mentor is not a replacement for a parent.

McCook TeamMates always has kids waiting for a match. If interested in becoming a mentor, please reach out to Marisa Hoins, program coordinator at 308-344-4412 or mhoins@mccookbison.org

How to sign up:

1. Apply by completing an application-visit teammates.org

2. Train

3. Meet your mentee.