Lewis Central TeamMates

08/20/2026

One hour. Two people. An impact that goes both ways. 💙

At the end of last school year, we asked Lewis Central TeamMates mentees and mentors to tell us about their experiences.

Our students said:

💬 “People are on my side.”

💬 “Having someone to talk to.”

💬 “I am strong and capable to do anything if I try.”

💬 “Being able to see my mentor and debrief about the week and go to my other classes feeling better.”

And our mentors?

💬 “It’s often one of the best parts of my week.”

💬 “I leave feeling energized.”

💬 “I’ve enjoyed developing a relationship with my mentee and seeing him develop over many years.”

That's TeamMates.

It's talking. Playing games. Coloring. Taking a walk. Laughing. Listening. Showing up.

You don't have to be an expert. You don't have to have all the answers.

You just have to be someone in a student's corner.

Lewis Central TeamMates is looking for caring adults in our community to mentor students during the school day.

Interested in becoming a mentor? Learn more and apply at TeamMates.org.

💙 Be the person who helps a student know: “People are on my side.”

07/06/2026

58 students.

That's how many Lewis Central students are currently waiting to be matched with a TeamMates mentor.

These students range from 3rd through 12th grade. Some love sports, some love art, some are quiet, some are outgoing, but they all have one thing in common: they're waiting for another caring adult to spend just a little time with them each week.

One of the biggest misconceptions about TeamMates is that it's only for "at-risk" students. The truth is, just like adults benefit from mentors, coaches, colleagues, and trusted friends, students benefit from having another caring, trusted adult in their lives, too. TeamMates is for students from all backgrounds who could benefit from another positive relationship.

TeamMates isn't tutoring. It isn't counseling. It's simply one caring adult building a positive relationship with one student.

Mentors meet with their mentee at school for about 30–45 minutes each week during the school day. They might play a game, shoot hoops, work on a puzzle, talk about life, celebrate successes, or simply be someone who listens. Those small moments often become some of the biggest moments in a child's life.

Right now, we have 58 students waiting, and our goal is to match as many of them as possible this fall.

If you've ever thought about becoming a mentor, or if you were a TeamMates mentor in the past and would like to return, I would love to hear from you.

📧 Email me at [email protected] to let me know you're interested or ask questions.

You can also start the mentor application process by visiting TeamMates.org.

Please consider sharing this post. Someone in your network may be exactly the mentor one of these students has been waiting for!

05/28/2026

💙Celebrating Our Lewis Central TeamMates Mentors 💙

This year, we want to recognize a special group of mentors who achieved the gold standard in mentoring through the TeamMates Mentoring Program program at Lewis Central.

Research shows that students experience the greatest impact when mentors consistently meet with their mentees throughout the year. Reaching 24+ mentoring visits represents a strong commitment to building meaningful relationships, providing encouragement, and showing up consistently for students.

👏 Congratulations to our mentors who achieved 24 or more mentoring meetings this year:

• Andrea Raes
• Amber Strohbehn
• Beth Ford
• Bill Colling
• Bob Barney
• Brent Hoesing
• Joe Vinchattle
• Jordyn Jones
• Kim Barents
• Linda Allmon
• Mike Cradit
• Rod Hurley
• Tabatha Durfey

🌟 Honorable Mention
These mentors came incredibly close to reaching the gold standard and made a tremendous impact this year:

• Bailey Keuck
• Kari Kinsella
• Laura Kyndesen
• Lisa Hartman
• Wendy Thompson

Thank you to all of our mentors for investing time, encouragement, and care into Lewis Central students. Your consistency matters more than you know. 💙

03/26/2026

Big congratulations to Vesper! 🎉

Vesper has been selected as a recipient of a $500 Lewis Central TeamMates Scholarship, and we couldn’t be more proud!

Her commitment, growth, and character truly stand out, and this recognition is so well deserved.

We’re also grateful for the meaningful mentoring relationship she has built with her mentor, Anne Morgan, whose support and encouragement have been an important part of Vesper’s success.

01/27/2026

✨ 12 meetings & counting! ✨

We’re celebrating 23 Lewis Central TeamMates mentors who have already met with their mentees 12+ times this school year — halfway to our gold standard of 24 meetings.

Consistency builds trust. Trust changes lives.
Thank you for showing up, week after week. 💙

01/23/2026

Thank you, McMullen Ford!! ❤️🙏

Huge thanks to McMullen Ford for their recent donation to Lewis Central TeamMates! This generosity will help us continue inspiring our students through mentoring.

Interested in learning more about TeamMates, a school-based mentoring program? Visit our website! https://lewiscentral.org/organizations/teammates_mentoring_program/

01/22/2026

Popcorn lovers unite! Support TeamMates of Lewis Central with every bite.

Order using the link below and be sure to select IA and Lewis Central at checkout. All orders ship straight to your door!

Order here:
https://pci.jotform.com/AlmostFamousPopcorn/teammates-fundraiser-2026

01/19/2026

Our annual popcorn fundraiser is BACK!

Order using the link below and be sure to select Iowa and Lewis Central TeamMates at checkout. All orders ship straight to your door!

Your purchase helps fund background checks, scholarships, marketing materials, mentor/mentee events, and more.

Order here:
https://pci.jotform.com/AlmostFamousPopcorn/teammates-fundraiser-2026

01/08/2026

January is National Mentoring Month, and today we’re spotlighting Anne, one of our long-standing Lewis Central TeamMates mentors.

Anne shows up week after week with care, consistency, and a listening ear—exactly what mentoring is meant to be. Her words beautifully capture the heart of this work.

Thank you, Anne, for being a steady, positive presence and a bright spot in the life of a child!

01/06/2026

Thank you to these amazing mentors for sharing part of your stories last night at our board meeting! ❤️

We still have 59 students waiting for their mentor. Reach out to us to learn more about how you can make a difference in our community!

January is National Mentor Month! During last night’s School Board meeting, several TeamMates mentors and mentees shared stories that highlighted the power of mentoring. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who generously volunteers their time to support and guide our students. Your impact truly matters!

Learn more about the Lewis Central Chapter of TeamMates on our website at https://lewiscentral.org/organizations/teammates_mentoring_program/

Lewis Central TeamMates