Teens 2 Teens Update Featuring Mike Matheny

It has been a while since I wrote about Teens2Teens, a wonderful organization dedicated to helping struggling teens. Teens 2 Teens is all about forging friendships and guiding teenagers through the rough patches they face.  
I first heard of Teens 2 Teens through John Schenk, who was in his teens at the time, but had already started making a difference in the lives of other teens.  I have had the pleasure of watching it grow from an idea to a full-fledged reality and beyond.
John's journey to this point actually began in the fifth grade.  His sister had a kidney transplant and John, wanting to do his part to raise money, started an online business selling sports memorabilia.  John learned a lot about business and met a lot of great athletes and contacts.  Unfortunately, this did not help John when he was lost in despair upon entering high school.
John's story could have taken a tragic turn right there.  Through the grace of God, with intense therapy and the interaction in a youth group, John emerged a strong person with a mission.  In his words, he wants to give others in need the opportunity "to take part in a community of faith and encouragement."
This story impacted me greatly.  John had made a friend and supporter for life.  Like a lot of others, I struggled as a teen.  I wish T2T had been an option for me.  More important, I am glad it is an option for teens today.  I have been more than happy to help spread the word on this great organization.
Recently, John contacted me and gave me an update.  Things are going very well with Teens to Teens.  T2T is growing and that means more teens are being reached.
John told me about a new T2T project.  In his words, "We've recently started a video series, which will aim at offering hope and inspiration to teens who are suffering. Mike Matheny was kind enough to be the keynote speaker at our gala (Winter Gala at Ambruster Great Hall) this past January, so during the evening we sat down and put together a brief interview with him."
Currently the manager of the St. Louis Cardinals, Matheny retired after 13 seasons as a major league catcher.  His playing career was cut short due to a concussion.  I always liked and respected Matheny and now even more so!
Matheny's interview can be found at Teens2Teens.org, specifically at Mike Matheny's Testimonial.  While you are there, check out all of the other great work that Teens 2 Teens is doing.  I am no longer a teen in need, but there are plenty of interesting things, inspirational bits, lessons to be learned and more at Teens2Teens.  They are making a difference.

Mike Matheny and John Schenk in St. Louis, MO-January 2014.

Friendly Encounters: John Schenk Meets Lou Brock

This is a regular series about my friends who have met celebrities.

John Schenk is a very special person and I am proud to call him a friend, as are hundreds of others who he has helped.  Still a teen himself, John has been helping others for several years.  It all started for John way back when he was in the fifth grade.
John's sister had a kidney transplant and John decided to raise money to fight kidney disease.  His solution was to start an online business selling authentic autographed memorabilia.  The success of this venture lead John to expand to organizing autograph appearances, which were also successful.  By now, you can clearly see that John is not your average teen.
However, like the average teen, John also had his own problems.  He felt isolated.  He even tried to commit suicide during his high school years.  John's road to recovery included youth groups and upperclassmen mentors.  It also started the wheels turning in John's head.

In early 2012, Schenk officially opened Teens to Teens, a faith-based ministry.  The Mission Statement is simple:
"Teens to Teens provides a sense of hope and relief to struggling teens and young adults by forging friendships based in faith, guiding them to make healthy choices through mental health education, and peer mentoring programs."

The concept of Teens to Teens is also simple.  It is about friendship and support.  Greg Robeson, who has been Schenk's youth minister in high school, summed it best for me, "Teens to Teens is about walking with (others) -- it's not about solving problems. It's not about having the right answers. Today is about creating allies."
Teens to Teens aims to teach peer mentors to be the bridge from the teen to the high school.  The peer mentors are not counselors.  Instead, they provide support, friendship and comfort to teens, while showing them that they have options in life, other than suicide or other destructive behavior.
That is a simple,. beautiful concept.  It is also a concept sadly missing, but desperately needed, in most places.  Most places don't have a John Schenk though.
I wish there was a John Schenk in my life during my teenage years.  I never attempted suicide, but I have to admit that I thought about it...a lot...for many years.  Perhaps if I had a John Schenk, I would have realized that I had other alternatives sooner.
John has met a lot of great athletes, like Hall of Famer Lou Brock (pictured below).  Brock started out with the Chicago Cubs, but became a superstar in St. Louis.  Schenk started in St. Louis and is well on his way to carving out a Hall of Fame career of his own.
I appreciate John sharing his story here.  Even more importantly, I appreciate John sharing himself with the teens in need.  This is an incredible young man and I am proud to call him a friend.
I have tried to give a brief view of Schenk's work and Teens to Teens.  I encourage everyone to go to Teens2Teens.org and the Teens to Teens Facebook page to learn more about this wonderful organization.

Lou Brock and John Schenk in St. Louis, MO-August 2009.

Friendly Encounters

This is a weekly feature highlighting friends who have met celebs.

I have featured John Schenk a few times before.  John recently celebrated a milestone in his business.  Schenk and Show Me State Signatures just celebrated one year in business.  John started the business when he was just 16!
I really am impressed with John.  Aside from being a great young businessman, he is also concerned about his community.  He's very well-rounded and he has a bright future.  Just remember, you read it hear first.
Show Me State Signatures has some great signings in the near future.  Ken Reitz (Nov. 13), Stan Musial and Red Schoendienst (Nov. 15), Kyle McClellan (Jan. 15) and Jim Edmonds (Feb. 14) are all on the schedule, but you should check the site for full details.
On the topic of great signings, below is a picture from a signing John had with Jack "the Ripper" Clark, who John described as a class act.  I lamented the fact that despite years of rumors of Clark coming to the Cubs, the trade never happened.
Thanks to John for sharing this and all of the other pictures.  Most of all, congratulations to him on his one year milestone.  I think John will experience many great milestones in the years ahead.

Jack Clark and John Schenk in St. Louis, MO-June 2010.

Friendly Encounters

This is a weekly feature highlighting friends who have met celebs.

I have written about John Schenk a few times. He is a young guy who is doing great things in St. Louis. He runs Show-Me-State Signatures and is very involved in the community.
Last year, Schenk brought Ed Hearn to St. Louis to speak to Catholic Youth Groups, which consists of a couple hundred kids who meet the last Thursday of the month for prayers and inspirational speakers.
Hearn was the backup catcher for the 1986 World Champion New York Mets. He was later traded to the Kansas City Royals. Hearn was diagnosed with a serious kidney disease and has battled it since then. He covers his journey in his book Conquering Life's Curves.
Schenk has worked with a lot of players, but he calls Hearn his favorite. Schenk stated, "He's extremely easy and flexible and a very understanding guy."
That is always great to hear. Hearn must be an extraordinary guy to be that upbeat and easy-going after all of his problems.
I always liked Hearn. His 1988 Topps card remains one of my all-time favorites. Plus, how can I not like a catcher (especially a backup catcher) who wore glasses? The guy is practically my role model.
I'd like to thank John for sharing his story and picture. I'd also encourage anyone to checkout Show-Me-State Signatures. John is having Lou Brock and Ray Lankford for private signings in September.

John Schenk and Ed Hearn in St. Louis, MO-June 2009.

Friendly Encounters

This is weekly feature highlighting friends who have met celebs.

I have featured John Schenk a couple times before. Schenk and his Show-Me-State Signatures are sponsors of the Autograph Tales recurring feature here. Today, I am featuring John with a cool opportunity and for a great cause.
Show-Me-State Signatures has partnered up with Jack Clark and South Side Youth Ministry. This is your chance to win the Ultimate Cardinals Experience with Jack Clark. For $25, you will be eligible for a drawing on June 9, 2010, to win a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to go to a Cardinals game with Jack "the Ripper" Clark.
Jack will meet you and one guest an hour before the game at the Stadium Club for complimentary dinner and drinks. After dinner, he will escort you on the field for photos. Jack will sit with you and your guest during the game in premium Busch Stadium seating and you will have a piece of memorabilia for you an your guest. The game is scheduled for Friday June 18 versus the Oakland A's. All funds from this raffle will benefit South Side Youth Ministry.
SSYM is a non-profit group in south St. Louis City that offers faith-based activities (such as prayer nights, retreats, youth conferences, open gym nights, hikes and much more) to high school teens. This is a dynamic ministry that is improving the lives of 7th grade through college kids by fostering spiritual growth and a greater understanding of living a life of faith.
It's a great cause and how often do you get to attend a game with someone like Jack Clark?! Go on over to Show-Me-State Signatures to check it out. If you win the raffle, be sure to send over the pictures. I'd love to run them here. Good luck to all.

Keith Hernandez and John Schenk in Chicago, IL-March 2010.

Friendly Encounters

This is weekly feature highlighting friends who have met celebs.

When we last saw John Schenk, he was pictured with Glenn Brummer, former major league catcher. Schenk represents Brummer for public appearances.
Schenk's company, Show-Me-State Signatures is having a signing event this Saturday, February 6 in Marion, IL. The event is a Cardinals Public Signing, featuring six former St. Louis Cardinals.
Marty Marion, George Altman, Ken Reitz, Glenn Brummer, John Costello and Brendan Ryan will all be signing at the event. This is a nice variety of Cardinals past and present.
Despite the fact that Altman and Reitz played for my beloved Cubs, my faithful readers should know who my favorite from that group is. Ohhh I love a solid backup catcher (see my Backup Catcher Hall of Fame pieces).
If you can't make the event, you can still get signatures through mail order. You still have until February 3 to use the mail order option.
Last July, Schenk held his first private signing. Hall of Fame third baseman Brooks Robinson was a great choice for their first signing. According to Schenk, Robinson was a class act who was happy to share stories and take pictures with everyone.
Once again, I thank Schenk for sharing his pictures and stories. I encourage everyone to check out his site. I look forward to more updates from Schenk in the future.

John Schenk, Brooks Robinson and Randy Stone in St. Louis, MO-July 2009.

Friendly Encounters

This is another in a series about my friends meeting celebrities.

I found out about my newest friend John Schenk while doing research for a future online piece for Global Traveler magazine. Schenk runs his own business called Show-Me-State Signatures. He organizes private and public signings of athletes. Did I mention Schenk is only 16?!
Like a lot of teenage boys, Schenk was interested in sports memorabilia. After he was burned by some forged stuff, Schenk decided to take matters into his own hands and start his own business. By working with the athlete (or his agent) directly, Schenk knows that all of his stuff is legit. His customers know it, too.
As successful as it has been, Schenk is quick to point out that this isn't all about money. He wants to give back to the community, who helped his family during his sister's kidney transplant.
Schenk met Glenn Brummer (former catcher with the St. Louis Cardinals) at Smugala's Pizza in St. Louis (MO). Smugala's was donating 20% of sales to support the Explore Transplant Team benefiting the 2009 National Kidney Foundation St. Louis Walk. Schenk brought in Brummer to sign autographs and meet all of the supporters.
Schenk now has an exclusive contract with Brummer and represents him for all events. One such event will be on Saturday, February 6, 2010, when Brummer and 5 other St. Louis Cardinals past and present will be appearing in Marion (IL) at a public signing event run by Show-Me-State Signatures.
It has been fun getting to know Schenk and learning about his business. I look forward to more news and updates from him and his events in the future.

Glenn Brummer and John Schenk in St. Louis, MO-May 2009.