Mission Statement
"TeamMates is a one-to-one mentoring program that builds positive relationships to help young people reach their full potential."
I first heard of TeamMates during a Pioneer Christmas Luncheon back in December 2001. It sounded interesting and I looked into it through either Doug Thoms or the late Norma Korff....it took about a month for Omaha Public Schools to assure themselves I was a law abiding citizen and I was asked to visit the TeamMates Counselor at Norris Middle School. I met the teacher who was serving as counselor and she showed me "bios" of several boys at the school looking for a mentor. She mentioned she had one that no one had volunteered to mentor and asked if I would be interested and I said "Sure".
A few days later I was introduced to Schyulor, a 12 year old African-American boy who lived with his mother and three older siblings. Mom was the sole support of the family of four growing teenagers. I started meeting with Schyulor at the school....we would meet during one class period, usually study hall, each week and talk and play games like checkers or whatever.
Initially, conversation was difficult....what does a 12 year old black boy talk about with an old white man almost 50 years older? We had nothing in common! I guess every man or woman who tries to mentor has his or her goals in mind....try to motivate the youngster to want to learn....try to impart a sense that opportunity is there if the child is willing to try, although success may not be easy....try to increase the child's awareness of what is "out there" in the world....what are the opportunities and options and trying to get them to understand that if you wanted to be or do something, it helps knowing where you want to go, at least in a general direction.
We met every week and played a lot of games....and at the beginning I got my share of runny noses and flu bugs....my doctor said I didn't have any immunity against the bugs that go around in schools that kids carry but that I soon would!
Over the years, Schyulor has grown from a 5'9" 12 year old in the 7th Grade to a 6'8" starter with OPS Northwest high school varsity basketball team. Although, like most teenagers, he's never shown any emotion expressing thanks for my efforts trying to mentor him, his mother says he has told her he really appreciates my sticking with him these last five years. One can only hope and pray that the experience was appreciated and that in the years to come it will have made a real difference in his life. I know he has made a difference in mine.
The Heartland Pioneers are no longer involved or partnering with OPS but if anyone is interested the TeamMates Mentoring Program just go to the local high in your area and you can volunteer your mentoring skills if interested.
Here is an excerpt from the Dec 17, 2006 edition of the Omaha World Herald that is about the student athlete that George has been mentoring.
"No one is taller in the Metro Conference than Schyulor Pugh, and he played big on Saturday for Omaha Northwest.
The 6-foot-8 senior scored 10 of the Huskies' final 24 points - while playing with four fouls - in a 66-52 victory over No. 9 Omaha Creighton Prep in the first round of the Metro's boys basketball holiday tournament.
"He knows how to play with fouls," Northwest coach Jeff Stallworth said. "Having a 6-8 person in there to get some rebounds is always a plus, and he helped us out down the stretch.
"Schyulor can handle the ball, he can run the floor. He's worked on his perimeter shooting a little bit. He's made a lot of strides as a player."
At 4-1, Northwest already has matched last season's victory total when it was 4-18.
"Our entire team is more unified, and that's why we're having the success we have," Stallworth said."