TeamMates: Developing Relationships Benefits Youth and Organizations

Each academic year, the TeamMates Mentoring Program of Lincoln (www.lincolnteammates.org) sets aggressive goals and in part successfully meets these objectives with the strong support of many community partners.

“The TeamMates Mentoring Program and Lincoln Police Department are a natural fit together,” said Sergeant Ryan Dale.  “You can ask any member of the department what their reason was for becoming a police officer, and every last person would say something along the lines of wanting to help other people, to give back to the community, and/or to make a positive impact on the community.  TeamMates obviously gives police officers, or anyone who wants to get involved, the opportunity to meet all of those goals.  The fascinating part is that the mentors end up getting as much, or even more out of it, than the youth do.”

Approximately 14 LPD staff currently serve as TeamMates mentors. Sergeant Dale said he believes that number will continue to grow because of positive experiences.

The benefits of developing relationships with members of the community, including youth, pays endless dividends for the department and the community.  The beauty of mentoring a child is that the impact could extend to several future generations.

“It will be interesting to see several years from now what the youth we are matched with will do with their lives,” Sergeant Dale said. “Maybe they will be working side by side with us as police officers and mentors.”

For more information visit TeamMates Mentoring Program of Lincoln www.lincolnteammates.org.