Mentoring
Mercy Connections and Vermont Works for Women have partnered to create a mentoring program to support women making the transition from Vermont’s correctional facilities to Chittenden, Franklin and Grand Isle Counties. These women face significant barriers in finding appropriate and affordable housing and employment, overcoming substance abuse and establishing healthy relationships – all key elements of successful reintegration. Mentors can have a profound influence on supporting individual women as they work to rebuild their lives.
If you are a good listener, have an open mind and want to create a relationship with a woman returning to your community to help her make a fresh start, we invite you to contact us to find out more about serving as a volunteer mentor. We also need volunteers for short-term assistance such as helping with transportation.
Learn more about our mentoring program in the video below.
Orientation to Mentoring:
Open to the Public (registration is not required) May 8, 2013, Wednesday / 5:30-7:30pm
Come and learn about our program. Hear the stories of both mentors and mentees.
Training #1: Understanding Your Mentee (registration required)
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Facilitator: Kim Bushey, substance abuse counselor, expertise in trauma, abuse and addiction.
Training #2: Mentoring Relationship, Communicating for Empowerment (registration required)
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Facilitator: Jill Evans, Department of Corrections Women’s Services Director, expertise on Women’s Prison Population.
DOC Volunteer Orientation: (registration required)
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Each training will be held at Mercy Connections new address: 255 So. Champlain Street, Suite 8, Burlington, VT and will meet from 5:30 – 7:30 pm. To register: pgreene@mercyconnections.org, or 846-7164.
- For more information on the program in Chittenden County, please contact Leigh Steele via email or calling 655-8900, ext. 104.
- For more information on the program in Franklin/Grand Isle Counties, please contact Nance Nahmias via email or calling 655-8900, ext. 507.
In Chittenden County, the Mentoring Program is supported by the Vermont Department of Corrections.
In Franklin/Grand Isle Counties, the programming is supported by the Vermont Agency of Human Services.