Calling all TeamMates mentors

Those who attend next Thursday’s Custer High School basketball double header versus Douglas will get a firsthand look at a group of Custer County residents who are positively affecting the lives of Custer School District children.

That’s because, between the conclusion of the girls game (which starts at 6 p.m.) and the beginning of the boys game (scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. start), the school district will honor community members who have given their time to serve as mentors for the TeamMates program, a strengths-based mentoring program, equipping mentors to help students discover their individual strengths and talents and identifying opportunities for them to build on the ways they are unique.

The recognition coincides with National Mentoring Month, which is January. National Mentoring day was Jan. 17.

There are approximately 50 mentors in Custer School District and more are needed, as there is a waiting list for children who seek a mentor. Mentors already giving their time are asked to attend the game and be recognized by the school district for their efforts. Their attendance to Thursday’s games will be free.

Training for new mentors is conducted the first Monday of each month at the Armory at 6 p.m. Applications can be filled out online at teammates.org. Mentors do not have to have any particular skill, but rather some time to lend and a heart for children. Mentors typically spend 30 minutes a week with their mentee and must pass a background check. All mentor/mentee meetings take place on the campus of the school at which the child is located during school hours. Students in grades four through seven are able to request mentors, although the program may expand to more grade levels in the future.

“It involves being an adult friend to a child,” said Roland Bauer, advisory board president for the Custer School District TeamMates program. “It’s not just problem kids. It’s meant for all kids. It’s another adult ear besides mom and dad.”

TeamMates mentors have a significant impact on the youth they meet with each week. Students generally see their absences and behavioral incidents decrease while seeing an improvement in their course performance.

Custer’s TeamMates program, which was the first in the state, launched in November 2018. Since that time, the Rapid City, Spearfish and, most recently, Sioux Falls school districts have launched or are preparing to launch TeamMates programs. Five states and 170 school districts nationwide have launched the program, serving more than 10,000 students.

Students can receive a mentor by self-nomination or a nomination from a parent or teacher. The student then fills out a survey and is matched up with a mentor who has similar interests. During their time together mentors and mentees can play games or just sit and talk.

Bauer said he coached basketball and baseball when his sons were growing up and has always enjoyed young people. That led to his involvement in the program. He said he gets just as much out of the time with his mentee as the mentee does from him.

“It helps me think like a younger person and the challenges they have nowadays,” he said. “It makes me rethink my own world view at times and gives me a healthy perspective on things.”

Bauer hopes as many of the mentors who can make it to the event will come. He also encourages others in the community to become mentors. The theme for TeamMates in 2020 is “Be There,” a simple, but vitally important idea for children.

“It’s really about influencing the next generation in a positive way,” he said.