TeamMates Mentoring Program of Somewhere Special

SS High School 24

SS High School Career Center 3

SS Middle School 24

SS Elementary 3

Total 54

Program Growth

Number of matches at end of school year:

2008/2009 – 21

2009/2010 – 26

2010/2011 -- 31

2011/2012 -- 37

2012/2013 – 44

TeamMates Mentoring Program of Somewhere Special Strategic Vision:

To serve 150 youth by 2016 and create a culture of mentoring in our community.

Impact

TeamMates mentees experience improved grades, attendance and behavior once matched with a

mentor. Parental and teacher relationships are improved as a result of school-based mentoring. School

engagement, increased graduation rates and reduction of risk behaviors are also experienced.

On average it costs $430 to support a TeamMates Match in a given year. Matches last on average three

years compared to nine months nationally. The goal is for the mentor to follow the mentee through

high school graduation and provide support for post-secondary access.

TeamMates provides specialized post-secondary support, scholarship opportunities and strength

assessments for youth in the TeamMates Mentoring Program. TeamMates has partnerships with post-

secondary access organizations as well as post-secondary institutions to provide further support and

scholarship dollars.

Source: TeamMates Annual Mentee Survey

Funding

The TeamMates Mentoring Program of Somewhere Special Board of Directors has been established for

five years. They have put together a strategic plan to help recruit mentors for their district and are in

year 2 of a 3 year funding plan that is based primarily on the pledge of dollars from local supporters.

Background Checks: Paid for by grants from the Wal-Mart and the Kind World Foundations. Current

funding for background checks is secured on an annual basis with no guarantee for future funding.

TeamMates Mentoring Program of Somewhere Special Board of Directors Members

Bob Roberts— broberts@aol.com –Roberts Investments-President

John Cool-- geekycool@compute.com –Computers R Us-owner-Vice president

J. Dollar— showmethe$@somewherespecialbank.com –Treasurer

Cindylou Who— bestmomever@hotmail.com –PTO member—Secretary

Rev. T. Leader— t.leader@lovethyneighbor.org –Love Thy Neighbor Church minister

Ino Scoop Jr.— inoscoopjr@TheScoop.com-- local newspaper writer

Jane Doe-- doej@msn.com –Community member

Judy Smart – jsmart@Somewhere Special.org – Somewhere Special School District

Participation Fee: The participation fee has been paid by the local school district since the program

inception. The Participation Fee is $30 per match and helps the TeamMates Central office defray

screening, liability, insurance, fundraising, training and match support costs.

Primary Objectives of board

Public Relations/Recruiting – The board is working toward getting out the message that the

TeamMates program is in need of mentors in the Somewhere Special District. They are working

on engaging school staff, community members, area businesses, parents, recent alums and

retired teachers. 2-3 mentors a month will need to be recruited in order to reach their vision.

The board has hosted a couple of recruitment sessions with local businesses and continues to

identify other possible corporate partners for recruitment. The board is considering hosting a

networking session for current mentors to let them know about their need for additional

mentors. The Central Office has provided materials and PSAs to help with the recruitment

effort.

Organizational Structure – This committee will work on the details of making sure matches get

kicked off sooner at the beginning of the year, set up a kick-off event, ensure sign-in books are

being used and offsite events are being tracked, contacting mentors who aren’t signing in or

showing up, and help prepare communications for the transfer of students at the end of the

year between buildings. They will also help with the support of expanding the program into

additional elementary buildings within the district.

Mentor Support – This committee will provide opportunities for mentors to have social

gatherings, hear from guest speakers, ensure mentors are aware of the TeamMates blog,

Facebook, and other website resources, identify mentor champions to help with afterschool

match activities, connect with school leadership groups to create mentor appreciation gifts, and

create calling tree and script so board members can call mentors to show their appreciation and

ask if they need any assistance.

TeamMates Mentoring Program of Somewhere Special is in a great position with “seasoned” Co-

Coordinators who are passionate about the program and a retrained, highly engaged board. We are

grateful for the opportunity to work within the Somewhere Special Schools and the support the district

has offered over the years. We look forward to continued growth so we can continue impact the lives of

the youth in the district and serve more students.

Organizational Structure

The TeamMates Mentoring Program has 117 chapters under its 501c3. Each chapter is required to have

a governing board in order to be incorporated through the state. TeamMates Mentoring Program of

Somewhere Special has a Board of Directors supported by a TeamMates Regional Coordinator.

TeamMates Mentoring Program State Board Role of Chairman: Oversight of Executive Director and Direction of the Program.

Role of Board Members: Governing body for the TeamMates Mentoring Program.

Metro Regional Coordinator

Your RC Here

Specialization Provide program support and oversight. Oversees centralized mentor screening, quality control and compliance issues.

Coordinates annual Creighton Game and End of Year Celebration.

Executive Director – Suzanne Hince

Screening Specialist

Your screener here Conducts centralized mentor screening

and provides technical and administrative

support for the metro regional office.

TeamMates of Somewhere Special Board of Directors

Role: Oversight of Coordinator and Direction of the

Somewhere Special Teammates program

SS High School Building Coordinator

SS Career Center Building Coordinator

SS Middle School

Building Coordinator

SS Elementary

Building Coordinator

Somewhere Special

Program Coordinator

Other

Support Team Development Director Marketing Specialist Strength Specialist Data Specialist Post-Secondary Specialist