National Coaches Challenge Campaign & Lincoln TeamMates Seek to Close Mentoring Gap

According to the National Mentoring Partnership’s (MENTOR) report, one in three children (9 million youth) will grow up without a mentor to offer them real life guidance.

Data shows that mentored children have improved academic, social and economic prospects. Young adults who had a mentor are 55 percent more likely to be enrolled in college than those who did not have a mentor.

In Lincoln, more than 700 TeamMates (www.lincolnteammates.org) students who want a mentor are still waiting for a caring adult to help them envision a successful future and reach their education and career goals.

Mentoring youth provides great benefit to our local business community by providing an educated and well-trained workforce. Approximately 95 percent of the Lincoln TeamMates graduating seniors had post-secondary education plans in place.

The Coaches Challenge began in Lincoln as a friendly competition between Coach Tom Osborne at NU, and Coach Bill Snyder at KSU in 2008. Since the campaign became national, teams in seven states have participated. During 2015, nearly 10,000 fans stepped up.

The Challenge campaign runs through November 30, 2016. Lincoln TeamMates has joined the national call to action and setting a goal to have more than 150 new volunteers apply to become mentors.

Apply online at www.lincolnteammates.org > Click on Become a Mentor > Complete and pass a background check > Attend a 2.5-hour training > Start meeting your mentee at his or her school!

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