Reentry after any period of incarceration may present challenges. You may be encountering obstacles related to having your freedom back, securing housing, finding employment, staying sober, breaking old ties, or rebuilding relationships with family and friends. Please remember, you are not alone in this process. Reentry support systems, such as mentorship, are available to equip you with the tools and resources necessary for a successful start. A mentor acts as a guide and partner, offering personalized support and encouragement throughout your reentry journey.
What Does a Reentry Mentor Offer?
Mentors, much like recovery sponsors, can positively impact your community reintegration by understanding your situation and helping you to make the right choices.
- Practical guidance: Mentors are here to help you with important things like finding a place to live, getting a job, accessing public benefits and community services, and creating a plan for your transition.
- Higher chances of staying out of trouble: Research shows that having prosocial people in your life, like a mentor, can lower the chances of going back to prison or jail by teaching you necessary life and social skills, and how to cut old ties that may lead to criminal behavior.
- Enhanced engagement: People with mentors are more likely to get involved in their community, secure jobs, stay sober, become accountable, and make the changes they need to succeed.
- Personalized support: In addition to practical help, mentors provide emotional and spiritual support to guide you through the ups and downs of reentry, help you stay on track to meet your specific needs, and overcome struggles. They are someone you can talk with openly about your feelings as they have firsthand experience with incarceration and reentry.
- Trusting relationships: Mentors give you a chance to build real, trusting relationships with another person, and they offer support without judgment, enabling you to make positive changes and succeed in getting back on your feet.
- Long-term engagement: Mentors stick around for the long haul, providing ongoing support to help you achieve your goals at the different phases of your reentry journey.
Incarcerated Individuals Strongly Agree That It is Important to Have a Reentry Mentor Who Has Gone Through the Prison System
Can a Mentor Offer More Support Than My Family?
While family support is invaluable, a reentry mentor offers the unique experience of having gone through similar experiences. They also tend to be more neutral than a friend or family member who may be dealing with their own trauma related to your incarceration. Additional benefits include:
- Firsthand knowledge: A mentor gets what you’re going through during reintegration and can give you advice and support that fits your situation.
- Immediate assistance: Mentors are usually there when you need them, offering vital help right after you’re released, when you might feel most vulnerable.
- Resource connections: Your mentor might have access to resources like housing help or job opportunities that your family might not know about, giving you extra support.
- Unbiased support: Mentors create a safe space for you to share your feelings, which can be difficult for family members to do.
- Accountability partner: Your mentor can help you stay in check, stick to your reintegration plan, and handle any obstacles that you face.
Get Connected! Find a Mentor Program that Works for You
GEO Reentry Connect offers comprehensive mentoring programs designed to empower individuals during their reintegration journey. Ready to explore the transformative power of mentorship? Visit our mentor page to learn more about our mentor and mentee programs. Fill out the form to get connected.
- Peer mentor: We have a large network of peer mentors who have firsthand experience with incarceration and reentry, providing guidance, support, and connections to essential community resources such as housing, healthcare, and transportation. Find a mentor.
- Become a Mentor: We welcome individuals passionate about making a difference to join our mentoring program. Mentors receive comprehensive training to ensure they are well-equipped to support mentees and positively impact their lives. Apply today.
Remember, you are not alone in your reentry journey. We are here to support you every step of the way.