Making a Lifelong Difference
By Andrea Atkinson, Teammates Mentor And Lincoln Kids Layout Designer
In March of 2023, I had spent just over a year as a full-time graphic designer at Eleanor Creative. It had been exciting and fulfilling to focus on my career, but I felt it was time to dedicate myself to a cause outside of work. I began searching for volunteer opportunities, and I found just the place: TeamMates, a mentoring program founded in 1991 by Coach Tom Osborne and his wife Nancy. The TeamMates mission is to positively impact the world by inspiring students to reach their full potential through mentoring.
When I inquired about signing up, TeamMates made it clear that this is no typical volunteer gig that you can drop anytime if you lose interest. I knew it would be a big commitment to mentor a student all the way through high school, but I was ready to make a difference. I got matched with my fourth grade mentee, took some training courses, and I was ready to begin our weekly meetings.
Our sessions began…quietly. It took time for my mentee to open up. I was patient because I know firsthand how intimidating it can be to meet someone new. I was a shy kid myself, so I knew that, like me, she would open up with time - and she did just that. After a month or so, she became much more chatty, and now we never run out of things to talk about! We meet during her lunch and recess hour and we do anything from making friendship bracelets, to doing fun crafts, to talking about what is going on in her life. Most of all, we play Connect 4 and UNO (LOTS of Connect 4 and UNO)! Not only has she opened up with me, but she has also blossomed as a student performer. This spring, I cheered her on from the audience at her school play.
I joke about our games and conversations, but I have seen just how meaningful these little things can be. One of the most rewarding things about being a mentor is being there for my mentee when she has had a rough day at school. Sometimes, she just needs her mentor to be there for her. And sometimes, she just needs an hour to be a kid and crush me at UNO!
Just as my mentee has shared her life with me, I have also shared my life with her. I got engaged this past year and when I told my mentee, she told me she could NOT wait to meet my “bi-ancee.” She also loved giving me input on which wedding dress I should get. It has been so fun sharing our life experiences with each other, and being years apart in age has made me reflect on my own 5th grade experience – oh, to be a kid again!
At the end of the school year, to celebrate all they have accomplished, TeamMates and the school district take us to the zoo. It’s my mentee’s most favorite day of the year. She loves to walk around, see all the animals, and most importantly, she likes to eat ice cream! Each year we take a break for the summer, and when the school year starts back up again she is already counting down the days until we get to return to the zoo. It’s special to see her light up when she is around her peers or sees some of her favorite animals.
Being a TeamMate isn’t just a weekly commitment – it is a relationship that lasts a lifetime. The kids connect and build relationships with you, and they expect you to be there every week as they grow up. My mentee always makes comments like “Will you always be my mentor?” and “I can’t believe you will be my mentor until I graduate!” with a big smile on her face. Her excitement and joy truly warms my heart and it reminds me why I am doing what I’m doing: to make kids’ lives better, by simply showing up for them.
If you are looking to make a lifelong difference, consider signing up for TeamMates – whether it’s being there when things get hard or just laughing when your mentee plays a “Draw Four” card, you can make a huge impact on students’ lives.