Wal-mart Supports District #29 TeamMates
by Nancy Fuller
April 21, 2009
Wal-Mart Foundation recently presented the TeamMates Mentoring Program with $28,000 to establish 14 new chapters across Nebraska. Each new chapter was given $2,000 to use as start-up money.
TeamMates of District #29 -- Auburn, Brownville, and Peru, a newly created chapter, recently received their grant money. Walmart stipulated the chapters use the money in their efforts to recruit, screen, and train mentors; to pay a coordinator for non-school time; and to provide money to cover expenses incurred during mentor and mentee activities.
The local program begins in fifth grade. At this time, mentors approved by TeamMates are matched with a student based on common interests.
TeamMates was founded in 1991 by Dr. Tom and Nancy Osborne in an effort to provide support and encouragement to school-aged youth. The goal of the program is to see youth graduate from high school and pursue post-secondary education. Mentors are asked to meet with his or her mentee for an hour each week during the school year..
According to Dr. Osborne, "This donation is significant and will allow us to help more youth across Nebraska. We appreciate Wal-Mart's contribution and are so thankful they are able to support youth in the TeamMates Mentoring Program."
The donation was a part of the a new Wal-Mart Foundation pprogram called the State Giving Porgram. Non-profit organizations in Nebraska (501 (c) (3) statuses) are eligible for the company's grant program.
