Somers Volunteers Mentor Students Through Newly Formers TEAM Tuskers

A group of Somers volunteers have come together to mentor students and provide them with a number of benefits through a one-on-one mentoring program, which was recently launched.

TEAM (Together Energized And Motivated) Tuskers strives to improve student learning, promote strong families and support healthy choices. Volunteers will be working with Somers Middle School students and meet with them once a week, in school, during the school year.

Somers residents Midge Miller and Leah Gregory were selected to lead the innovative school based one-on-one mentoring program.

"I am so excited to see applications from all sectors of our community," said Leah Gregory of the wide interest of community members who were willing to volunteer. "The experience and knowledge all of our mentors bring, coupled with the desire to 'be there' for one of our students, makes me very proud to be a resident of this town.

The two women said they could not have launched the mentoring program without the help of many volunteers from Somers and the surrounding communities.

Housewives, insurance brokers, retired teachers, principals, superintendents and school counselors, as well as graphic designers, marketing executives, human resources executives, grief counselors, life coaches are just a few of the community volunteers who helped launch TEAM Tuskers.

Kathleen Reilly created and led the mentor training team, while Jill Schantz created and led the mentor/student orientation and Elizabeth Gross led the parent orientation.

"The screening of our mentors could not have been done without the experience and knowledge that was brought by Joyce Schmidt, Elizabeth Gross and Jill Schantz," Gregory said.

Behind the scenes are Gayle Mottola who helped create a website, Cynthia Aidello has helped with public relations and Sue Blanch who helped in the conception of the group's logo. Leslie Gubitosi acted as the graphics designer, who spent hours on last second changes.

"The response from the entire Somers community has been overwhelming and gratifying," Miller said. "I feel the community is behind us 100 percent."

TEAM Tuskers members are currently screening applications for additional mentors who would like to participate in September with a new group of students. An application is available on their website.

"We desire to provide safe and nurturing relationships where students can gain from the wisdom of mentors to be better prepared to face the challenges of today's world," members wrote on their website.

Group members said they would not be able to have executed the program without the support of Somers Middle School staff and Somers Board of Education members, as well as the Somers Educational Foundation members.

More information about the group's vision and history can be found at www.teamtuskers.somersschools.org or call 914-481-2716.

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