Why Mentoring | Be A Mentor
Hawai'i has an incarceration rate of 487 per 100,000 people (including prisons, jails, immigration detention, and juvenile justice facilities). Each year, at least 15,000 different people are booked into local jails in Hawai'i.
Almost all of those currently incarcerated will be released at some point. Yet, those returning to their communities face complex challenges and needs: more than 4 in 10 people released from state prisons were reincarcerated within 3 years of their release.
A mentor can offer a structured, supportive relationship in which individuals with lived experience guide, encourage, and empower justice-involved and/or at-risk participants as they navigate challenges, build resilience, and work towards their personal recovery goals.
Almost all of those currently incarcerated will be released at some point. Yet, those returning to their communities face complex challenges and needs: more than 4 in 10 people released from state prisons were reincarcerated within 3 years of their release.
A mentor can offer a structured, supportive relationship in which individuals with lived experience guide, encourage, and empower justice-involved and/or at-risk participants as they navigate challenges, build resilience, and work towards their personal recovery goals.
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Jessica Caravalho, GHH Volunteer Mentor
Graduate Student in Social Work, University of Hawai`i at Manoa Being a mentor teaches me to meet people where they’re at. It builds empathy. What better way to help someone than by understanding their circumstances? This is important because the things you learn in school can’t be applied in the real world unless you have understanding and empathy. Learn more about Jessica's experiences and insights as a Mentor. |
BENEFITS TO MENTORS
- Opportunity to have a life-changing impact on someone's life and contribute to building community.
- Learn first-hand experience in coordinating service providers and criminal justice services with Mentee.
- Share life experiences and create lasting positive relationships
Be a Mentor
MENTOR EXPECTATIONS
- Help Mentee develop an enhanced sense of self-worth with specific knowledge and skills to increase their chances for personal success.
- Provide support, guidance and assistance to the Mentee as they may face difficult periods, new challenges, works to build new skills, and adjust to life back in the community.
- Be patient and positive.
- Be an active listener and non-judgmental.
- Take pride in one's role as a Mentor and in the Mentee's strengths, abilities and progress.
- Meet face-to-face with Mentee a minimum 1 hour per week for 12 months. (~ 4 hrs./month)
Matched Mentors and Mentees will decide together when and where to meet. - Attend Mentor training on identifying and developing mentoring skills and tools, and on-going supplementary Mentor trainings throughout the year based on Mentors' needs. (~ 1 to 2 hrs./month).
- Minimum six (6) Mentor support meetings per year.
- Minimum two (2) supplementary Mentor workshops per year. - Mentee case manager and Mentor Coordinator will also provide one-on-one support via email or phone (during work hours, unless emergency) and in person by appointment. (~ 1 to 2 hrs./month).
- Maintain a contact log of interactions with Mentee, including face-to-face meetings, phone calls, and email exchanges.
- Keep written notes of Mentee relationship, to track and document Mentee's progress and relationship development.
- Matches will be decided by staff after interested Mentors and Mentees meet and a mixer, after which each will have a chance to indicate match preferences.
MENTOR APPLICANT PREREQUISITES
- Be 21 years of age or older.
- Be employed, enrolled in school and/or retired.
- Have a current TB test (within two (2) years of date of applying to program).
- Commit to mentoring in-person an individual released from custody for a minimum of one (1) hour per week for one year (12 months).
- Commit to continuing mentor education through Mentor support meetings and participate in supplementary Mentor workshops.
- Complete and submit a Mentor Application Packet (below). Be sure to include supplementary materials, such as letters of recommendation and resume.
- Take part in an in-person interview so that program staff can get to know you. This helps with matching Mentors and Mentees.
- Agree to a criminal background check. Criminal history will not necessarily disqualify an applicant from becoming a Mentor.
All Mentor personal information, including application materials, are kept confidential.
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO APPLY, CONTACT
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East Hawai`i Office
80 Pauahi St., Suite #206, Hilo, HI 96720 Tel: (808) 491-2437 Fax: (808) 498-0315 |