Tyus Jones, point guard for the Minnesota Timberwolves and Apple Valley High School graduate, has partnered with BestPrep to help strengthen student motivation to succeed in school and beyond. Through BestPrep’s Cloud Coach program, students exchange email messages based on weekly communication prompts delivered by corporate volunteers focused on helping students develop a career aspiration. Personal messages also come from Tyus Jones helping students understand they all have the ability to: “write your own story.” Students also receive an introductory email from Tyus, as well as interacting with him at various school events.
Timberwolves Basketball player Tyus Jones with BestPrep CEO Bob Kaitz and Board Chair Dave Harkness.
Based on the infrastructure of BestPrep’s successful eMentors program, Cloud Coach is offered for a school’s full ninth grade and is currently focused on the Minneapolis and St. Paul public schools. Currently five schools (Minneapolis Washburn, Minneapolis North, Minneapolis South, St. Paul Como Park Sr. and St. Paul Washington Technology Magnet) have implemented the program. Participating companies including, Allianz Life, Cargill, General Mills, Thomson Reuters, Travelers and Wells Fargo, provide hundreds of volunteers.
Tyus Jones is deeply committed to giving back to the community. Through his support, the FastBreak Foundation of the Minnesota Timberwolves, honored BestPrep at halftime of the January 20th game versus the Toronto Raptors. A $5,000 contribution was made to the Cloud Coach program.
BestPrep is excited to have Tyus Jones join its efforts to improve the graduation rates of Minneapolis and St. Paul students and give students hope and a plan for a successful future.