Launch the media gallery 1 player

One Hour Makes a Difference to Our Students!

Saunders County TeamMates in Need of Local Mentors

TeamMates Mentoring - Together, We Transform Lives

In 1991, Dr. Tom Osborne started a non-profit organization called TeamMates. TeamMates is a one-to-one mentoring program that matches caring adults in our community with youth in our schools. The mission of TeamMates is to positively impact the world by inspiring youth to reach their full potential. The need for a caring adult relationship is universal to every child. Mentors give youth a sense of hope, purpose and vision. Today, TeamMates reaches over 10,000 students in Nebraska, Kansas, and Iowa. It is a program open to all students.

The typical mentor/mentee match length is three years, with the goal of keeping the match together through the mentee’s high school graduation. TeamMates mentees often say their TeamMates mentor is the one consistent positive force when other aspects of their lives are challenging. Students who are paired with an adult mentor are less likely to skip a day of school or skip a class. Students who are paired with an adult mentor have a stronger sense of self-worth and more consistent control of their emotions. The great thing about being a mentor is that a person doesn't have to be perfect or know all the answers. A mentor just needs to be present, be consistent, listen and remind the mentee that he or she has something important to offer the world.

Our local chapter currently has 45 mentor/mentee matches with 7 additional students currently on a waiting list without a mentor. It is the hope of the local TeamMates board that our chapter would grow to 75 matches in the coming years. That is where you come in! 

We would love to have you join our local TeamMates team as a mentor. Mentors and mentees are matched based on hobbies and interests. You and your mentee will meet once a week at school during the academic year. During your time together, you can play games, do a craft, toss a ball, go for a walk, or just talk. Don’t worry about whether or not you know how to mentor. Once you have completed the application process, you will be trained by one of our TeamMates program coordinators before you ever meet with your mentee. Students wanting to be a TeamMate can nominate themselves or be nominated by parents, teachers, counselors or others. We can’t grow this program without your help.

If this sounds like something that you would like to get involved in, please click the link below to apply!

APPLY TO MENTOR

Follow the new Facebook page to stay up to date on our local Wahoo Chapter events and matches:

If mentoring is not something that you are able to do but you would like to get more involved with the Wahoo Community TeamMates chapter, we are looking for new advisory board members. The local TeamMates board meets once per quarter, usually at 7:00 a.m. The board assists the program coordinators with activity planning and financial support in the form of scholarships to seniors who have been a part of the local chapter for 3+ years. The advisory board is a critical part of the success of our local chapter. New members bring new ideas and new energy; both are vital to the ongoing success of the chapter.

If you are interested in becoming a Wahoo Community TeamMates board member or would like more information about becoming a TeamMates mentor, contact WPS TeamMates 7-12 Coordinator Shannon Hauswald at 402-443-4332 ext. 3227 (email: shauswald@wahoowarriors.org).