A Weekend of Service: Donor Spotlight

We are so very grateful to Nashville Givecamp for helping us automate the records of our program. We produced and/or expanded databases for student records, reports and donations. Their contribution will save over 80 hours of staff time each month in data management. This will give us more time to spend with our students.

A team of creative geniuses and professionals laughed, talked, coded and shared a meal or two throughout the weekend of January 14. The professionals included Geoff Alday, Wendy Czymoch, Leah Gilliam, Ben Henderson, Gaines Kergosien, Shawn Lacroix,Chris McPherson,Patrick Schroeder, Marvin Palmer and Rebecca West. 

We immensely enjoyed composing and playing our data melody with this team of caring and passionate artistic engineers.

For more information on Givecamp visit the website: http://givecamp.org/

For more information on Nashville Givecamp visit the website: http://nashvillegivecamp.org/

Mr. Jones Secures Contract

Keith Jones, a loyal administrator and supporter of the TEAMS Institute has secured a contract to provide business management services to the Kroger Company.

He met with students at McKenzie High School in January to present his career journey and encourage them to continue their work with TEAMS. He has a business degree from Bethel University. He is currently pursuing his Masters in Business Administration from Bethel University.

We wish Mr. Jones much success in his new assignment. We look forward to his continued collaboration and support with the TEAMS Institute.

November December Progress: We Need Your Help

Happy Holidays to you and your family. Highlights of our progress in November and December 2010 include the following:

The TEAMS Institute Clubs at McKenzie High School and McKenzie Middle School met once each month during homeroom as an advisory council to plan activities for the TEAMS Institute. The current officers (photo left to right) Vice President-Alex Cawthon; President-Noreli Mirna Mendez; Reporter-Ananceah Warren; Secretary/Treasurer-Herivia Strayhorn attended leadership training in Nashville, Tennessee.

The TEAMS Institute is preparing for our grand opening at our new location
We will continue our advisory meetings at the High School on December 7 at 11:00 am and at the Middle School on December 8 at 12:30 pm. Our advisors have set up volunteer groups to host our grand opening.

Continue to check your newspaper, mailbox and email for announcements of our grand opening of our TEAMS Institute center with more games, fun, homework help, college, career, vocational preparation, college tours and field trips.

WE NEED YOUR HELP. To prepare for our grand opening, volunteer opportunities will begin on December 14, 2010.

In preparation for our grand opening, please sign our support list, mail a letter to us at 135 Bells Store Road McKenzie TN 38201 or send a letter with your child to our school meetings to tell us why this TEAMS Institute afterschool program is important to your family and your child. You can also email your letter to srmwms@yahoo.com. Or record a comment at 731-415-2588.

On December 9, during the regular Board of Mayor and Council meeting of the City of McKenzie Tennesse, Ms. Williams, a member of the TEAMS Institute leadership group was unanimously approved by appointment to serve the city as a member on the McKenzie Park and Recreational Board.

We have identified and submitted proposals for funding that could potentially increase our funding to over half a million dollars.

Celebration Reaps Wishlist Gift

A trickle turned into a stream of steady support as hundreds lent their voice and talent to celebrate afterschool and the TEAMS Institute on October 28 and 29 in the Green Hills and at Cafe Coco near Vanderbilt University. Student, staff, board, business and community leaders shared college tours, round table discussions, media airtime, poetry, music and song in support of afterschool. The event enabled us to locate a van for our students. Thank you to everyone that supported our programming.

Vanderbilt University
College Connection, Oasis Center
Tennessee State University
Belmont University
US Department of HUD
The Small Business Administration
WBBJ-TV
Mount Zion Baptist Church
101.5 FM
The Nashville Rescue Mission
Kevin Sandbloom ~ Acoustic Guitarist Los Angeles, California
Etchane Jackson ~ DJ Las Vegas, Nevada
Cicely Floyd ~ Neo-Jazz Inspirational Vocalist Nashville, Tennessee
Kenneth Dozier ~MC Nashville, Tennessee
Sheila & Cheryl Williams ~ Hosts
Kenneth Williams, Conference Moderator
Evelyn Parker, Board/Community Training Round tables Coordinator
Younger Associates
Cafe Coco
Osman Jalloh
Carter Moody
John Baldwin

Lights on Afterschool Celebration 2010

Support Our Annual Fundraising Celebration

SPEAK UP: An International Community Open-Mic Benefit
Friday 29 October 2010 8:00 pm
Café Coco
210 Louise Avenue
Nashville, TN 37203

Local poetry, spoken word, comedy, story-telling, music, and vocal artists with special guest performances by:

Kevin Sandbloom ~ Acoustic Guitarist Los Angeles, California
Etchane Jackson ~ DJ Las Vegas, Nevada
Cicely Floyd ~ Neo-Jazz Inspirational Vocalist Nashville, Tennessee
Kenneth Dozier ~MC Nashville, Tennessee
Sheila & Cheryl Williams ~ Hosts

Your $20 donation benefits the children of the TEAMS Institute
For more information about SPEAK UP call 615.299.9906

You're Invited to Our 30th Annual Benefit Conference

Join children, parents, business and community leaders on October 28th and 29th to participate in Lights On Afterschool, a nationwide event to celebrate the importance of afterschool programs. Hosted by the TEAMS Institute, an afterschool program that offers technical and artistic educational and life-skill building activities for children and youth, the event will emphasize the importance of keeping the lights on and the doors open for afterschool programs across America.

Being held at various venues in Nashville, the events planned for the Lights On Afterschool rally include a tour of Colleges and financial aid on October 28, a fundraising workshop on October 29 at 10am at the Hampton Inn Green Hills, then concluding with the BENEFIT CONCERT at 8 pm at Cafe Coco.

To learn more about the TEAMS Institute, visit http://www.teamsinstitute.org