Grizzlies Team Up Students and Mentors at Choosing to Participate

On Saturday, Memphis-area high school students from the Memphis Academy of Science and Engineering, Memphis Academy of Health Sciences, and the Knowledge Is Power Program toured the Facing History and Ourselves Choosing to Participate exhibit at the Benjamin L. Hooks library. The students are participants in the mentoring program TEAM UP. Developed by the Memphis Grizzlies Charitable Foundation, TEAM UP uses curriculum and teaching strategies created in partnership with the Facing History office in Memphis. “It’s not just about preventing kids from slipping through the cracks,” Jenny Koltnow, executive director of the Memphis Grizzlies Charitable Foundation, told the Daily News. “This is about giving them exposure and experiences, and an idea of what things could be like if they’re willing to put in the effort.”. The program teams three mentors with groups of nine students for after-school sessions each week. The mentors accompanied the students on Saturday’s trip. “They have someone to stand by their side, encourage them and help them acquire the skills and the tools they need to be successful and pursue their desired careers,” Jenny said of the crucial role the mentors play.

Facing History and Ourselves is grateful for the support of the Memphis Grizzlies Charitable Foundation and their sponsorship of the Choosing to Participate exhibition, on display at the library through November 28. For more information or to book your tour, see http://www.choosingtoparticipate.org/plan-your-visit-memphis.

Read the full article, “Shared Success: Mentoring Programs Aim to Empower—and Retain—Next Generation,” by Aisling Maki in the Daily News.

Learn more about our work in Memphis.