TeamMates of the Month: Cynthia and Cheryl

February 27, 2026

Cheryl and her future mentee Cynthia met for academic support in second grade, a year before Cynthia’s eligibility for TeamMates. When Cynthia’s parochial school closed in fourth grade, Cheryl sensed they weren’t ready to say goodbye.

“She had a lot of potential, and I wanted to keep track of her. So, I got the go-ahead to apply for TeamMates.”

They’ve met in several schools since.

“It's been a real joy to see Cynthia from second grade to now,” says Cheryl.

As many matches do, they often met over the lunch hour in the library, which Cynthia says added another dimension to their mentoring relationship.

“Cheryl was always interested in books, so she'd go around looking at books and talk to me about them.”

Over time, they talked about more than books. That’s how Cynthia learned that Cheryl would help her remember how capable she is.

“If I tell her I'm scared of something, she always reads my [Cynthia points to her ID badge with a list of her strengths on the back]. It always makes me think…I can do this. She reminds me every time.”

In fact, “capable” is one of the words that Cheryl chose to describe Cynthia.

“Back when I was her age, I just didn't have her confidence. Last year, she had a gateway into the field that she wants to go into, related to child development. I wondered, how did she handle that? How did she keep it together? And how do you calm a child who's distressed?”

Cynthia notices when Cheryl mirrors what she’s feeling and going through.

“She cares. A lot. You can tell she genuinely cares by her expressions, her words. She gives me a lot of feedback too, but it's not just regular, it's more like deep down, more sincere.”

Cheryl is glad Cynthia used the word “feedback” and not “advice.”

“I try not to give advice because that sounds like you're telling people what to do and I don't want to do that.”

Cynthia is clear about her gains.

“I don't think I would have achieved this much. I don't think I would have done college classes. Even when she’s not there, I think of when she tells me my strengths, and it makes me think I am capable to try more things.”

Without TeamMates, Cheryl says, “There'd be a hole.”

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