The TeamMates Mentoring Program of Somewhere Special has seen steady growth over the past 5 years. It currently serves 54 students across 4 schools. The board's strategic vision is to serve 150 youth by 2016. Research shows mentees benefit from improved grades, attendance, behavior, and relationships. The board is working to recruit more mentors to reach its goal and sustain the program.

1. 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 SpecialStrategic Vision:
To serve 150youth 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.

2. 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 onthe 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

3. 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 Specialhas a Board of Directors supported by a TeamMates Regional Coordinator.

4. 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
ScreeningSpecialist
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