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Lewis Central teammates mentoring program reports growth, seeks volunteers to fill 15-child wait list
Summary
At a Jan. 13 board meeting, Teammates Mentoring coordinator Dr. Hartman told the Lewis Central School Board the program grew from 29 to 45 mentor–student matches this school year and is trying to recruit mentors for 15 students currently waiting.
Dr. Hartman, the district’s Teammates Mentoring coordinator, told the Lewis Central School District Board of Education on Jan. 13 that the program has grown from 29 mentor–student matches at the start of the school year to 45 matches and currently has 15 students on a waiting list.
The presentation outlined the program’s goals and local outreach: expand the board of the local Teammates chapter to include more non-district members, increase matches by 50% this school year (and 25% in subsequent years), recognize mentors who meet at least 24 times a year, and broaden community awareness through events and local media. “Their mission is to inspire students to reach their full potential,” Dr. Hartman said, summarizing Teammates.org materials and how the group’s work aligns with district goals.
Why it matters: Mentoring programs like Teammates are presented as low-cost, volunteer-driven supports intended to provide consistent adult connection for students. Board members and presenters described the program as serving students from second grade through high school and as complementing school counseling and intervention services.
Details from the presentation: - Participation and demand: Program coordinators reported 45 active matches and 15 students on the waiting list, most of whom are boys and who range from second grade through high school. - Goals and recognition: The local chapter aims to expand its volunteer board (two longtime board members recently rotated off), recruit community members who are not district employees, recognize mentors who meet at least 24 times per year, and raise matches by 50% this school year. - Local organization: Coordinators named Jim Pettit as a co-coordinator; the chapter board includes Matt Warren (TS Bank), Kelly Boyle, Brent Gabe Wagner, and Patrick Kneppel. Outreach has included presence at district musicals and sporting events, yard signs, and an upcoming radio segment on Bluffs Country Radio. - Mentor and mentee experience: Presenters and other mentors described a range of activities (games, concerts, conversations) and longer-term relationships; one mentor said some mentees view meetings as “the best part of my week,” illustrating the personal impact mentors reported. - How to get involved: Presenters encouraged community members and groups (Rotary, Impact CB, local businesses) to refer potential mentors; coordinators said they will accept outreach requests to speak to community groups.
Questions and context: Board members asked for examples and stories; presenters described mentors who have stayed with mentees through high school and into postsecondary transitions. Coordinators said Teammates is volunteer-run locally and emphasized the flexibility of mentoring (an hour a week is standard, shorter meetings are possible).
Ending: Dr. Hartman and the local coordinators asked the board to help spread the word and to consider potential non-district candidates for board membership and mentoring roles. They did not request district funding during this presentation; recruitment and recognition plans were described as program priorities.
