Mentoring Program Overview

The Bridge Builders for Kids mentoring program matches Christian mentors to children of prisoners when they are between the ages of 5 and 10 years old, and then continues to offer mentor support until they are 18. This program consists of the following:

• Identification of Children – Bridge Builders for Kids identifies children of prisoners though prison visits and through our partners and other referral sources.  Our program staff conducts home visits to develop a relationship with the caregiver and get to know the child as well as the child’s and family’s needs.

• Mentor Recruitment & Screening – Mentors are recruited through local churches and other Christian circles. Mentors must be at least 18 years old.  Mentors go through a five-hour mentor training/orientation session.  Also prior to being matched, program staff conduct interviews with them as well as national background checks and reference checks.

• Match Process – Mentors are matched with children based on common interests and personalities.  Once matched, mentors commit to spending two hours per week with the child for a minimum of one year.  At the end of one year program staff meet with the mentor, child and caregiver to determine whether they want to keep meeting.  In a rare case a mentor is not able to continue to meet with the child, a new mentor will be matched with the child.

• Goal Setting – Once a child is matched with a mentor, they choose a goal they would like to work on together with their mentor over the next four months.  These goals might be learning a new life skill; achieving something physical or spiritual; learning about something; improving grades in a particular area, etc. Program staff help the mentor/mentee set a new goal every 4 months.

• Match Support– Program staff follow up with the mentor, child and caregiver every two weeks for the first month and then monthly after that.  The purpose of these follow ups is to offer encouragement, address any issues that come up and also track the progress of the mentor relationship.  In addition, each quarter Bridge Builders for Kids hosts mentor huddles which offer additional support and encouragement to the mentors.

• Relationship Building Activities – Throughout the year Bridge Builder for Kids offers various types of relationship building activities in which mentors can attend with their mentees, or potential mentors can meet children who are waiting for a mentor. 

• Connections to Additional Resources & Support – Program staff try to connect the families with additional support and resources through our partners and local churches.