Looking to make a difference in this time of uncertainty?
Train to become a mentor in the Vermont Women’s Mentoring Program, a reentry project. Mercy Connections partners with the Vermont Department of Corrections and other community partners to match trained volunteer mentors with women who are incarcerated, on furlough or participating in pre-trial services, to support their transition to restorative and sustainable lives across Vermont.
Mentors come from all walks of life. They support, coach, and function as a new and healthy relationship to trauma-affected women facing myriad challenges in reentry to community. Pairs of women are carefully matched for a mutually successful experience, meet virtually one-on-one and participate together in small group meetings (via zoom), healthy social events, (like the socially- distanced Curbside Connected program each week), and continuing education. Mentors learn about incarceration in the U.S. and Vermont and about how to humanize its face, one person at a time. Friendships are made and lives are transformed through this program.
Interested in becoming a mentor? Participate in our upcoming 4-week training, Wednesdays, September 16 – October 7, 5:30-7:00 PM. Our training program and ongoing support includes monthly match meetings, mentor support group meetings, education on barriers to re-entry, and healthy socially –distanced events. This program advocates for criminal justice reform. Women interested in the training do not need to have prior knowledge of the criminal justice system or mentoring experience to participate. NOTE: All trainings and support will be delivered via Zoom.
For more information, please contact Joanne Nelson, Director of Justice and Mentoring Programs, at [email protected] or (802) 846-7164, or visit our website: https://mercyconnections.org/programs/justice-mentoring-programs/