Grizzlies Charitable Foundation TEAM UP Mentoring Initiative
In July 2004, The Memphis Grizzlies Charitable Foundation was established to provide funding and support to organizations that serve youth in Memphis. The Foundation Board of Directors agreed that youth education and mentoring would be the top two priorities for future funding and support.
photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE/Getty Images
Mentoring was identified because of the mounting evidence of its effectiveness in helping young people to stay in school, aspire to higher achievement and further education, and develop self-esteem and a more positive vision for their own lives.
What is Mentoring?
Mentoring is a structured relationship with one or more individuals providing young people with support, guidance, friendship, encouragement and constructive example.
At its most basic level, mentoring helps because it lets a young person know that they have someone who cares about them and another caring adult in their life who will listen to their dreams and help them achieve those dreams.
Mentors provide their mentees with an experienced friend who is always ready to help in any number of different situations. Mentors help young people build self-esteem, overcome challenges, set goals and succeed in school. The number of ways mentoring can help a child are as varied as the participants involved in each program.
We believe that all children profit when they have adults they know they can trust and turn to for encouragement and support. Many kids find that special person on their own but for others, it's not that easy. To aid those children and the adults who want to lend a helping hand, the Memphis Grizzlies Charitable Foundation has launched the TEAM UP Mentoring Initiative.
photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE/Getty Images
Grizzlies Foundation Mentoring Program Frequently Asked Questions
- What mentoring organizations are available?
- What is a mentor?
- What are the different types of mentoring?
- What are the different goals of mentoring?
- Where does mentoring take place?
- Why does mentoring require several months to at least a one year commitment?
- What is the Grizzlies Foundation doing to support mentoring in Memphis?
- MENTOR 20 Ticket Program presented by Johnson & Johnson Healthcare Systems and Turner Dairies
- How can I learn more or become involved with mentoring?
- Okay, I'm ready to sign up!
Want to learn more?
Simply fill out our mentoring survey and we'll contact you with program information. Plus, we'll help you find a good mentoring match in Memphis to fit your availability and interests.
Past Mentoring Events
TEAM UP Mentoring Lunch
The Grizzlies Foundation hosted the TEAM UP Mentoring Lunch on August 7, 2007 in the Grand Lobby of FedExForum. If you were unable to attend but want to learn about our mentoring partners, contact us via email.
Mentoring Luncheon
Hall of Famer Bill Russell spoke at the Jan. 30 Mentoring Luncheon telling Memphis business leaders that, "There are no 'other people's children,' only the next generation of Americans." See photos of the event.
Grizzlies Mentoring E-Cards
Send a special mentoring-themed e-card to someone who has been there for you. Choose from several Grizzlies-themed designs and customize your own e-mail message to go along with your card. View the card designs on our Mentoring E-Card page.
