The Hand in Hand Mentoring Program was begun in 2001 to help women transition from incarceration to the community.

We all depend on networks of support to help us find resources, make decisions, lend a hand and an ear, walk with us through difficult times.

Women coming out of incarceration usually have no positive networks to help them transition into the community. Because they face many problems when they come out (finding housing and furnishings; seeking employment, schooling or applying for benefits; reuniting with family; finding and being in a treatment program; multiple health issues; accessing transportation, etc.) and don’t have much of a network of support to help them, we saw a need to provide this support to the women in our program.

The Hand in Hand Mentoring Program recruits, orients and trains volunteers to mentor an individual as she transitions from prison to the community.

Training includes:

• Orientation to Step by Step and its strength-based philosophy

• Overview of the prison system

• Issues of addiction and recovery

• Effective communication

• Effects of living in chaos and crisis

• Community resources

When a mentor has been assigned to a woman, there is ongoing supervision and training. We ask for a one year commitment.

For more information, contact the Mentoring Coordinator
see contact page