http://teamupmemphis.org/index.php en mentor@grizzlies.com Copyright 2012 2012-01-30T22:17:02+00:00 http://teamupmemphis.org/index.php/site/recent-press-clips-about-mentoring-and-the-grizzlies-foundation http://teamupmemphis.org/index.php/site/recent-press-clips-about-mentoring-and-the-grizzlies-foundation#When:22:17:02Z The Memphis Business Journal recently wrote an article describing the new partnership between the Grizzlies Foundation and Duncan-Williams, who will become the sponsor of the Foundation’s Team Up Mentoring Initiative. Read the article here. Additionally, The Commercial Appeal ran two articles about mentoring. One featured letters from mentees thanking their mentors at US Dream Academy and Memphis Athletic Ministries, and the other written by Alayne Shoenfeld about the Grizzlies Foundation’s efforts with brief highlights of mentors. | January 31, 2012 2012-01-30T22:17:02+00:00 http://teamupmemphis.org/index.php/site/grizzlies-charitable-foundation-announce-partnership-with-duncan-williams-i http://teamupmemphis.org/index.php/site/grizzlies-charitable-foundation-announce-partnership-with-duncan-williams-i#When:22:17:02Z The Memphis Grizzlies Charitable Foundation announced an integrated partnership with Duncan-Williams, Inc., which will make them the title sponsor of Grizzlies TEAM UP, the Foundation’s internationally-recognized youth mentoring initiative. Additionally, through their corporate mentoring effort, Duncan-Williams, Inc. has actively encouraged employees and their families to serve as mentors as part of the partnership. “This is a significant milestone for the Grizzlies TEAM UP Mentoring initiative, and we’re grateful to have a passionate, committed partner in youth mentoring like Duncan-Williams,” said Jenny Koltnow, Executive Director of the Grizzlies Foundation. “This support will enable us to strengthen and expand outreach and more importantly, place volunteer mentors in the lives of many more kids. With their employee volunteerism and financial investment in mentoring, Duncan-Williams has become a model for the Memphis business community.” “Duncan-Williams is built on a principle of understanding. Our corporate tag line, “A firm understanding”, guides us in all our endeavors,” explained President Duncan F. Williams. “As corporate and private citizens of Memphis, we understand the role that we play in fostering a better community. In discussing how we could make a significant difference in the community, we realized that working with our city’s youth through mentoring initiatives would make a positive impact today and for years to come. Through the Grizzlies Charitable Foundation we found the ideal vehicle to help us achieve our goals by becoming the presenting sponsor of the Grizzlies TEAM UP Mentoring initiative. This partnership will allow Duncan-Williams to make a significant contribution to mentoring efforts in Memphis as well as provide an outlet for our employees to become mentors in the lives of our youth.” In celebration of the partnership and President Obama’s proclamation of January as National Mentoring Month, the Grizzlies Foundation hosted Grizzlies Mentoring Night when Memphis faced the San Antonio Spurs on Jan. 30 at FedExForum. Special in-game features to recognize those who support youth mentoring included: o 400+ mentors and children attended the game o A special, on-court presentation of new Grizzlies Foundation partner Duncan-Williams, Inc. o An Ashley Furniture HomeStore “Mentor of the Game” was honored o 30 Mentors and children were in the pre-game fan tunnel o Grizz Girls wore TEAM UP shirts o All guest services and concessions wore Grizzlies TEAM UP shirts The Grizzlies Foundation-Duncan-Williams, Inc. partnership highlights the growth of corporate mentoring in Memphis. In the last 12 months, companies like Duncan-Williams, Inc. have aligned with the Grizzlies Foundation and have actively championed mentoring and engaged large numbers of employees in mentoring young people through an employee engagement program. These companies include: Smith & Nephew Orthopedics, Accredo, Baker Donelson, Pinnacle Airlines and Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare. In addition, Ashley Furniture HomeStore is a presenting sponsor for the “Mentor of the Game” recognition during eight games during the 2011-2012 season. About the Memphis Grizzlies Charitable Foundation: Founded in 2004, the Grizzlies Foundation is committed to placing volunteer mentors in the lives of at-risk kids in Memphis. The Foundation recruits and refers mentors, provides training and technical assistance to mentoring programs and actively raises awareness and builds partnerships throughout the community. Shortlisted for the 2011 “Sports Team of the Year” Award by London-based Beyond Sport and winner of the 2007 Steve Patterson Sports Philanthropy Award Winner for Excellence in Sports Philanthropy, the Grizzlies Foundation has donated $28 million to Memphis-area nonprofit organizations since its inception. To learn more about the Memphis Grizzlies Charitable Foundation and how to become part of the Grizzlies TEAM UP youth mentoring initiative, e-mail mentor@grizzlies.com, call (901) 205-TEAM or visit grizzliesteamup.org. About Duncan-Williams, Inc.: Duncan-Williams, Inc., is a Top 100 Brokerage Firm headquartered in Memphis, Tenn. Founded in 1969, the firm is a full-service brokerage and investment banking firm providing financial solutions to individuals and institutional organizations in 50 states and 11 foreign countries. Duncan-Williams, Inc., is a member of FINRA and SIPC. Duncan-Williams, Inc., has offices in Akron, OH, Atlanta, GA, Birmingham, AL, Charlotte, NC, Chicago, IL, Cleveland, OH, Gainesville, FL, Houston, TX, Jackson, MS, New York, NY, Philadelphia, PA and Tampa, FL. The Women’s Business Enterprise National Council certifies Duncan-Williams, Inc., as a Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE). The firm was named to the 2010 and 2011 Inc. 5000, Inc. magazine’s annual ranking of the fastest-growing companies in America. | January 31, 2012 Featured, 2012-01-30T22:17:02+00:00 http://teamupmemphis.org/index.php/site/building-awareness-during-national-mentoring-month http://teamupmemphis.org/index.php/site/building-awareness-during-national-mentoring-month#When:22:17:02Z January is recognized as National Mentoring Month. But for the Memphis Grizzlies Charitable Foundation, mentoring is considered a year-long endeavor. Since its inception, the Grizzlies Foundation’s mission has been to get the local community involved in mentoring. And since they began recognizing National Mentoring Month in 2005, the Grizzlies Foundation has seen efforts grow exponentially. “I think it has taken on more and more significance as the Memphis community has become more familiar with Grizzlies TEAM UP,” said Jenny Koltnow, executive director of the Grizzlies Foundation. “One of the more exciting things is people are recognizing the brand and mission, and they’re asking not only what can I do, but how can I get other people to do something.” Grizzlies TEAM UP is the Grizzlies Foundation’s concentrated effort at getting both organizations and individuals involved in mentoring youth across the Memphis region. Koltnow stresses that there is no one way to be a mentor. Every program has a different but important focus, from work and technology skills, to college prep and leadership development. But the key is for people to give mentoring a chance. “There are lots of opportunities out there,”  Koltnow said. “We run the Grizzlies Mentoring Alliance (previously named Memphis Mentoring Partnership) which represents upwards of 20 organizations and 50 unique opportunities to be a mentor. We can really be flexible and find opportunities that are going to work with anyone’s schedule and meet one’s interests and personal goals.” “One person can make a difference. A difference in what a child does when they hit a fork in the road.  A difference in the way they see themselves and their future. Mentors can point kids in the right direction, help them make better choices and encourage them to seize the opportunities that come their way.” As part of National Mentoring Month, the 2012 National Mentoring Summit will take place Jan. 24-25 in Washington, D.C. On Jan. 26, which is “Thank Your Mentor Day,” The Commercial Appeal will print ‘Thank You’ letters from mentees to their mentors. Also that day, the Grizzlies foundation will host a TEAM UP Happy Hour, a recruitment event open to the public. And Jan. 30 will be recognized as Grizzlies TEAM UP Mentoring Night when the Grizzlies host the San Antonio Spurs. That night will also feature a major announcement for TEAM UP. “Grizzlies TEAM UP offers an opportunity for anyone to be a part of the Grizzlies team in a meaningful, rewarding way,” Koltnow said. ”If you’re not clear on what it is, what steps to take, you’re not going to get anywhere by just pondering the possibilities. Contact us. Spend some time on grizzliesteamup.org. The entire community is invited to ‘team up’ with us.” In addition to the visiting grizzliesteamup.org, you can also receive more information by calling 901. 205.TEAM (8326), or email at mentor@grizzlies.com, or by completing an interest form to let the Foundation know you want to explore opportunities to be a mentor. | January 10, 2012 Featured, 2012-01-30T22:17:02+00:00 http://teamupmemphis.org/index.php/site/president-obama-proclaims-january-as-national-mentoring-month http://teamupmemphis.org/index.php/site/president-obama-proclaims-january-as-national-mentoring-month#When:22:17:02Z President Barack Obama has issued a proclamation designating January as National Mentoring Month, saying, “Every day, mentors help young Americans face the challenges of growing into adulthood. By setting a positive example and sharing their time, knowledge and experience, mentors play an essential role in preparing our Nation’s youth for a bright future. During National Mentoring Month, we celebrate the contributions of all those who cultivate a supportive environment for the next generation, and we recommit to expanding mentorship opportunities across our country.” January 2012 marks the 11th anniversary of National Mentoring Month, an annual media campaign to recruit volunteer mentors for young people. Spearheaded by the Harvard Mentoring Project of the Harvard School of Public Health, MENTOR and the Corporation for National and Community Service, this year’s campaign tagline is Invest in the Future. Mentor a Child. Mentors, backed by quality mentoring programs, play a powerful role in preventing substance abuse and youth violence, as well as boosting academic achievement and workforce readiness. Studies have shown a more than 250 percent return on a $1 investment in mentoring and myriad quality of life benefits to the mentor, too. Mentors help build young people’s character and confidence, expand their universe and help them navigate pathways to successful adulthood. Despite this proven impact, the gap between the number of mentors and the number of young people who need a mentor is still too large. While three million young people have a mentor, 15 million need a caring adult mentor in their lives. “National Mentoring Month gives the mentoring field an opportunity to collectively celebrate the proven impact of quality programs and the impactful service of mentors nationwide while also sounding the call to grow the movement through increased volunteerism and financial investment,” said MENTOR’s President and CEO David Shapiro. “We thank our national partners across sectors, including the media and funders who make it possible to sound that call, and we thank the Mentoring Partnerships and programs that creatively implement and expand the campaign every year and work to close the mentoring gap everyday.” “We feel fortunate that President Obama shined the spotlight on National Mentoring Month in this proclamation, and we applaud his and First Lady Michelle Obama’s personal commitment and example through their mentoring programs in the White House,” Shapiro added. In his proclamation, Obama noted, “Last January, we partnered with businesses across America to launch the Corporate Mentoring Challenge, which calls on corporations to begin or expand mentoring programs that pair children with positive role models, foster leadership skills and put them on the path to success in school and beyond. As part of our steadfast commitment to support our service members and their loved ones, we are funding new mentorship opportunities for children from military families.  And we are continuing to engage faith and community groups to help recruit mentors who can guide our youth in education, employment and engaged citizenship.” Michelle Obama announced the Corporate Mentoring Challenge at the first National Mentoring Summit last January. MENTOR will again host the Summit, along with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, the Corporation for National and Community Service, the Harvard School of Public Health, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention and United Way Worldwide, January 24 and 25 in Washington, D.C. The Summit gives the field and cross-sector partners an opportunity to learn and grow together to better meet the mentoring needs of the nation’s young people. For additional information about National Mentoring Month, visit SERVE.gov/MENTOR.For more information and resources on quality youth mentoring and MENTOR’s network of Mentoring Partnerships and programs, visit www.mentoring.org. For information about mentoring in Memphis, contact the Grizzlies Foundation at mentor@grizzlies.com. | January 4, 2012 Featured, 2012-01-30T22:17:02+00:00 http://teamupmemphis.org/index.php/site/celtics-legend-bill-russell-speaks-to-business-leaders-about-mentoring http://teamupmemphis.org/index.php/site/celtics-legend-bill-russell-speaks-to-business-leaders-about-mentoring#When:22:17:02Z Boston Celtics legend Bill Russell returned to Memphis after visiting in 2008 to talk with Memphis business leaders about mentoring youth. Russell was in town as an honoree for this year’s Freedom Awards presented by the National Civil Rights Museum. Those in attendance received a copy of Russell’s new book, “Red and Me: My Coach, My Lifelong Friend” with a personalized autograph from Russell. But the purpose of the event was to let Russell talk about why he supports mentoring youth. Russell talked about his own personal relationship with Red Auerbach, how Auerbach mentored him and in turn how that influenced his belief that everyone, especially young people, need a mentor in their lives. He told a story about how the Boston Red Sox came to him and asked him to throw out the first pitch at a game. His response was to demand they make amends for excluding black ball players until 1959-becoming the last club to integrate-by supporting mentoring programs in Boston. That gave way to the Red Sox Mentoring Challenge and their partnership with Mass Mentors. Those in attendance left with the message that they must find ways to support mentoring in Memphis. In particular, Bruce Hopkins was so moved that he wrote a letter to the editor of the Commercial Appeal. Hopkins said, “With the Memphis Grizzlies Foundation—considered to be one of the top sports foundations—right here in our backyard, sharing with Russell a commitment to youth mentoring, we need to take every opportunity to promote this work in our hometown.” As with the Red Sox Mentoring Challenge, the Grizzlies Foundation’s TEAM UP Mentoring Initiative uses the leverage of professional sports to bring awareness to the need for adults to be mentors for youth. You can start the process to become a mentor by filling out a mentor interest form. Click here to see a photo gallery of the event with Russell and guests. | November 21, 2011 Featured, 2012-01-30T22:17:02+00:00 http://teamupmemphis.org/index.php/site/forbes-magazine-on-building-strong-customer-relationships-and-the-memphis-g http://teamupmemphis.org/index.php/site/forbes-magazine-on-building-strong-customer-relationships-and-the-memphis-g#When:22:17:02Z Forbes magazine recently highlighted the Memphis Grizzlies MVP season ticket holder program as an example of programs which build customer loyalty. “Named as the ‘Hottest Team in Sports’ in 2011 by ESPN The Magazine, the franchise has gone to great lengths to put into practice one of the four fundamental principles practiced by some of today’s leading marketers: strong customer relationships build long-term loyalty.” The Grizzlies Foundation TEAMmates program is modeled after the MVP program and seeks to achieve a similar goal: to reward volunteers who mentor with Foundation mentoring programs and to help retain them as mentors in order to build long-term relationships. | November 17, 2011 Blog, 2012-01-30T22:17:02+00:00 http://teamupmemphis.org/index.php/site/grizzlies-foundation-donates-370000-in-grants-to-non-profit-partners http://teamupmemphis.org/index.php/site/grizzlies-foundation-donates-370000-in-grants-to-non-profit-partners#When:22:17:02Z The Memphis Grizzlies Charitable Foundation announced the donation of $370,000 in new grants to Memphis nonprofit organizations Tuesday, Nov. 1 during the annual Grizzlies Foundation Partners Breakfast at the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library (3030 Poplar Ave.).  This year’s distribution of grants brings the total giving by the Grizzlies Foundation to Memphis nonprofit organizations to over $28.3 million.  Grizzlies General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Wallace, Grizzlies Head Coach Lionel Hollins, Grizzlies play-by-play announcer Pete Pranica and local owner Elliot Perry were on hand for the event. The Grizzlies Foundation’s mission to serve Memphis youth through education and mentoring saw it welcome two new charitable organizations to their circle of yearly grant recipients: Facing History and Ourselves and AGAPE Child & Family Services. In addition, the Foundation reviewed Grizzlies TEAM Mentoring, a new school-based model matching three mentors to nine students;  discussed the growth in mentoring in Memphis throughout the last year; and highlighted corporate mentoring partners. Additional organizations receiving grants included: ArtsMemphis, Church Health Center, Exchange Club, Girls Incorporated of Memphis, Leadership Academy, Leadership Memphis, Memphis Athletic Ministries, Memphis Child Advocacy Center, Memphis PREP Program, MIFA, Mid-South Food Bank, STREETS Ministries, and United Way of the Mid-South. Following the distribution of grants, tours were offered of the library’s “Choosing to Participate” exhibit, a multifaceted educational and civic initiative created by Facing History and Ourselves which encourages young people and adults to think about the importance of participating in a democratic society.  For more information about Facing History and Ourselves and Choosing to Participate, visit facinghistory.org and choosingtoparticipate.org. The Grizzlies Foundation recruits and refers volunteer mentors, provides training and technical assistance to youth mentoring programs and actively raises awareness throughout the Greater Memphis community.  The Grizzlies Foundation has been shortlisted for the 2011 “Sport Team of the Year” Award by Beyond Sport with the winner named in December 2011 in Cape Town, South Africa. To learn more about the Memphis Grizzlies Charitable Foundation and how to become a part of the Grizzlies TEAM UP youth mentoring initiative, e-mail mentor@grizzlies.com, call (901) 205-TEAM or visit grizzliesteamup.org. | 3 November 2011 Featured, 2012-01-30T22:17:02+00:00 http://teamupmemphis.org/index.php/site/lunch-buddies-enjoy-more-than-a-meal http://teamupmemphis.org/index.php/site/lunch-buddies-enjoy-more-than-a-meal#When:22:17:02Z Wouldn’t it be fun to join a student in grade 6 or 7 for lunch once a week for conversation and companionship? A new volunteer program called “Lunch Buddies” will give you a chance to do just that! “Lunch Buddies” is a weekly commitment during the school year to spend 30 minutes on a Tuesday or Thursday during the scholar’s assigned lunch time. The program is expected to begin October 4. “Volunteers who enjoy a meal with a Veritas College Prep scholar embody the hopes and dreams that the scholar’s family and the Veritas College Prep family hold for that scholar,” notes Milan Rouse, Dean of Community Engagement at Veritas and coordinator of this exciting new opportunity. “We know that ‘they will be what they see.” Veritas College Preparatory Charter School, located at 168 Jefferson in the heart of downtown Memphis, is a public charter school with a focus on college and career readiness. Veritas College Prep equips each of its scholars to graduate from a four-year college or university and to contribute to the community as accomplished professionals. The ideal mentor would hold a four-year college degree or higher, work in a professional capacity or attend graduate school, and be committed to the idea that every child can and should graduate from a four-year college or university. For more information or an application form, contact Alayne Shoenfeld at the Memphis Grizzlies Foundation at 901-205-1253 or email ashoenfeld@grizzlies.com. | 2012-01-30T22:17:02+00:00 http://teamupmemphis.org/index.php/site/grizzlies-foundation-named-to-shortlist-sport-team-of-the-year http://teamupmemphis.org/index.php/site/grizzlies-foundation-named-to-shortlist-sport-team-of-the-year#When:22:17:02Z The Memphis Grizzlies Charitable Foundation today was named to the prestigious Official Shortlist for the Beyond Sport Awards 2011 in the Sport Team of the Year category. The Grizzlies Foundation’s TEAM UP Youth Mentoring Initiative was selected as one of 35 shortlisted organizations from almost 400 projects from over 125 countries worldwide in this year’s Awards. “This is an incredible honor for us,” said Jenny Koltnow, Executive Director of the Grizzlies Foundation. “The Beyond Sport Awards highlight the Grizzlies Foundation’s dedication and leadership in expanding and supporting sustainable youth mentoring programs in Memphis. It also recognizes the unprecedented generosity of our Board and the support from the Grizzlies team.  We anticipate this award will bring new partners, resources and volunteers to our mentoring programs and into the lives of kids in Memphis.” For reaching the Shortlist stage, Koltnow will represent the Grizzlies organization in Cape Town, South Africa for the Beyond Sport Summit and Awards from Dec. 5-8.  The Summit, an annual event that brings together the best sport-led social innovators with influential global leaders, will provide a platform for the Grizzlies Foundation to continue to develop the Grizzlies TEAM UP initiative. The Grizzlies Foundation joins the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles (United States), the Manchester City Football Club (United Kingdom) and the Liverpool Football Club (United Kingdom) in the Sport Team of the Year category. As a nominated project, the Grizzlies also will be receiving additional support and opportunities leading up to the Summit, including the following: the opportunity to be selected by CNN as a featured project for the network’s Beyond Sport Week segment; a platform to promote its efforts at Beyond Sport United at Yankee Stadium in New York City on Sept. 27; an exclusive invitation to PWC masterclasses; and eligibility to specific funding and support opportunities available through Beyond Sport’s clients specifically for Awards nominees. Founded in 2004, the Grizzlies Foundation recruits and refers mentors, provides training and technical assistance to mentoring programs and actively raises awareness throughout the community.  To learn more about the Memphis Grizzlies Charitable Foundation and how to become part of the Grizzlies TEAM UP youth mentoring initiative e-mail mentor@grizzlies.com, call (901) 205-TEAM or visit teamupmemphis.org.  The 2007 Steve Patterson Sports Philanthropy Award Winner for Excellence in Sports Philanthropy, the Grizzlies Foundation has donated $27 million to Memphis-area nonprofit organizations since its inception.  Beyond Sport is a global organization that promotes, develops and supports the use of sport to create positive social change across the world.  The Beyond Sport Awards program provides a package of funding and business support annually to projects across the world that use sport to address issues within their communities.  For more information, visit beyondsport.org. | July 13, 2011 Featured, 2012-01-30T22:17:02+00:00 http://teamupmemphis.org/index.php/site/online-training-for-mentors-talking-it-through-communication-skills-for-men http://teamupmemphis.org/index.php/site/online-training-for-mentors-talking-it-through-communication-skills-for-men#When:22:17:02Z Talking it Through: Communication Skills for Mentors promotes successful mentor/youth interactions and relationship-building. This resource is free and requires only that the user sign up to begin training. Talking it Through includes 13 video stories that are between three and seven minutes in length, tips and resources, learning checks and a printable journal feature. To access Talking it Through, visit their website. Learning Outcomes As a result of this course, you will be able to … •Handle difficult situations and challenges through consistent recommended approaches •Empathize with mentees by noticing verbal and non-verbal cues •Redirect mentee requests that are outside the boundaries of the mentor-mentee relationship and know when to refer them to program staff and/or adhere to mandatory reporting requirements •Help youth identify their options and provide recommendations without judgment or coercion Course Elements: •13 video stories running 3-7 minutes each •Tips and resources •Printable journal feature •Learning checks Site Requirements: •You will need to have the latest Adobe Flash Player installed on your computer and the sound enabled. •Optional: broadband connection Talking it Through was created by Education Northwest (formerly Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory). Since 1998, Education Northwest has operated the National Mentoring Center (NMC), providing training and technical assistance, research, and evaluation support to thousands of mentoring programs across the country. | July 12, 2011 2012-01-30T22:17:02+00:00