Mentoring Children of Prisoners Program

     How the MCP Program Works

The Seton Youth Shelters Mentoring Children of Prisoners (MCP) program matches a youth, aged 4-18, who has an incarcerated parent, with a trained adult mentor. We also serve youth with a parent released within the last year. Mentors and mentees commit to a minimum of one year and meet for a minimum of one hour per week. Mentoring time can be spent doing educational, recreational, or cultural activities. Scheduling is flexible, to meet the needs of mentors, mentees, and caregivers.  Our program was featured on WAVY TV's Wednesday's Child.

    Mentees

    The Mentoring Children of Prisoners program is FREE of charge. "Mentees" must be between the ages of 4 and 18, and must have an incarcerated parent (including a step parent or sibling's parent). Children and caregivers are not pressured to talk about the incarceration if they do not want to. Mentors will provide regularly-scheduled, individual attention to their mentee. This time may include participating in recreational, educational, or cultural activities. Mentors and mentees commit to spending a minimum of one year with the program and will see one another a minimum of one hour per week.

Do you know a child who could use a mentor? Have questions?  Please contact Director of Mentoring: Jessica Redding at (757) 646-9965  

Download our Mentee Application Here *

Mentors

    Mentors are screened through a criminal background check, a Child Protective Services check, a DMV record check, and a sex offender registry check. Mentors must complete an individual interview and a training class, and must provide three personal

references prior to becoming a mentor. Mentors must also provide proof of automobile insurance and a valid driver's license.

Benefits of mentoring include:

•The rewarding feeling that comes from helping a child

•Being able to be a 'big kid' when you are with your mentee

•Adding volunteer experience to your resume

•The ability to adapt your volunteer time to your personal schedule, including evenings and weekends

•Do what you enjoy doing anyway, while having a positive impact on a child

Minimum requirements to be a mentor include the following:

            •Willing to commit to one year and one hour per week mentoring a child

           •Age 20 or older

          •Have access to reliable transportation

         •Have a valid, current driver's license

        •Have proof of auto insurance

        •Be able to pass a criminal background check, Child Protective Services check, DMV  record check, and sex offender registry check.

        •Attend a one day training

Interested in becoming a mentor? Have questions? 

Please contact Director of Mentoring: Jessica Redding,  (757) 646-9965 

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Download our Mentor Application Here *