Corrections Corner / John Klawiter

Trusted Mentors program can change lives for the better

Mentoring changes lives. I have witnessed people change their outlook on life, what they achieve, and their perception of other people. All of these changes have occurred for me since I started mentoring folks returning from incarceration more than 10 years ago.

Oh yes, mentoring certainly changes lives for mentees. I work for an agency called Trusted Mentors, which for more than 15 years has connected and trained volunteer mentors with at-risk adults (mentees) to help keep them housed and out of prison.

Here are some documented statistics for you: In 2018, 92 percent of our adults in the re-entry track did not re-offend while in contact with their mentors; 98 percent of our matched adults at risk of homelessness remained housed; and 95 percent of our matched young adults also remained housed.

When we help people stay out of prison or from homelessness, they can become successful employees, can give back to their community, and can act as parents such that their children will have a better chance to succeed as well.

Mentoring changes the lives of those being mentored. And, I can’t tell you how many mentors have said that their lives have been changed for the better as well.

Mentors really get to know, often for the first time, someone involved in the criminal justice system. They learn how hard it is to succeed when people leave prison because of the design of the system, the lack of transportation, the lack of landlords willing to rent to them, the lack of employers willing to hire them … the list of obstacles goes on and on.

I have mentored several folks over the past 10 years. My renewed faith brought me to mentoring. I won’t say that it has always been easy, but I will say that I feel I have learned a great deal about what it means to “love thy neighbor.” I am happy to share with any of you my experiences with Herman, Charles, David, Mark, Leroy, Sue, Terry, Gene, Anita and others. Reach out to me at ewitulski@trustedmentors.org for coffee to discuss.

Trusted Mentors provides training and ongoing support for mentors because we realize that people can’t do it alone. It takes time for others to change and, as I say to everyone who is considering becoming a mentor, progress can be “three steps forward and two steps back.” A big part of mentoring success is being there to help your mentee pick him or herself back up, help them dust themselves off, and without judgment help them move forward with a fresh start.

At the end of the day, it is about compassion, love, forgiveness, perseverance, patience and listening without judging that can influence the life of another.

Mentoring changes lives. What can be better than building a new relationship that changes your life and the life of a person working to stay housed or out of prison. For more information about Trusted Mentors, go to www.trustedmentors.org.
 

(Ed Witulski is the Mentor Match Coordinator for Trusted Mentors and is a member of the archdiocese’s Corrections Ministry Advisory Committee. He is also a member of St. Monica Parish in Indianapolis.) †