Mentoring Children of Promise
Meet Ricky…
- He likes to draw.
- He loves recess and gym at school, math… not so much.
- He thinks his little sister has cooties.
- He thinks his dad being in prison is somehow his fault.
Ricky is fictitious, but represents the roughly 6400 children in the Des Moines Metro Area who have a parent in prison.
According to recent statistics, approximately 2 million children and youth in the United States have at least one parent in a Federal or State correctional facility. In addition to suffering disruption in the relationship with their parent, these young people often struggle with the economic, social, and emotional burdens of the incarceration. Data indicate that mentoring programs can help young people with incarcerated parents by reducing their first-time drug and alcohol use, improving their relationships and academic performance, and reducing the likelihood that they will initiate violence. In addition, mentoring programs can provide these children with opportunities to develop a trusting relationship with a supportive, caring adult and a stable environment that can promote healthy values and strong families.
We consider kids like Ricky to be children of promise.
You can learn more about becoming a mentor to a child of promise here. If you know a child of promise who you feel would benefit from a mentor you can make a referral here.
If you have any questions feel free to contact our main office at (641) 620-9037 or email us using the form below.
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