Your experience can help someone else succeed.

• Do you have a desire to help others?
• Do you have knowledge of or interest in criminal justice, sociology, family dynamics, personal budgeting or other basic life skills?
• Have you made positive changes after being incarcerated yourself and want to help others like you?

"Each year in MN, approximately 6,000 individuals are released from prison. 36% of those individuals re-offend within 3 years."*  BUT YOU CAN HELP THEM AVOID ENDING UP IN PRISON AGAIN WITH PROVEN MENTORING STRATEGIES!

*MN Dept. of Corrections data- http://www.corr.state.mn.us/publications/documents/03-09Bythenumbers.pdf

About the program 

Download the brochure

As a part of its larger mission to assist people with barriers to employment, education and independence, Goodwill/Easter Seals Minnesota has a ReEntry Services program to assist ex-offenders in training for and finding employment.

Finding a job and successfully reintegrating into their family and the community is a key factor in reducing recidivism. A mentor relationship can help guide this successful reintegration.

About the mentorship:

• The mentoring partnership will be focused on goals, such as securing employment, family relationships or financial literacy.
• Both mentors and mentees are interviewed to ensure a good match is made.
• A training meeting is provided for volunteer mentors before being matched with a mentee.
• The Mentor Coordinator will facilitate the initial meeting between mentor and mentee and follow-up to ensure a good fit.

The ideal volunteer mentor candidate is:

• Comfortable working with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Able to provide a listening ear and constructive feedback and positive support. 
• Commit to approximately four hours a month for nine months, which may include phone and in-person meetings. 
• Male over 21 with a desire to help others.
• Has made positive changes in his own life and wishes to help others do the same.

If you’re interested in becoming a mentor or would like more information, please complete this form or contact Marlana Horejsi (mhorejsi@goodwilleasterseals.org).