MENTOR PARTNERSHIPS are the foundation upon which the Center for Women in Transition's programs are designed, implemented, and operated. Women accepted in our program are matched in a one-on-one mentoring partnerships volunteer mentors for a period of one year. The mentor provides a caring and compassionate relationship that helps the mentee stay grounded and focused on personal goals. The relationship provides the support system that is vital in transitioning from the criminal justice system back to the community.

Women in our mentoring program also receive referrals to community resources, such as substance abuse treatment, counseling, education, job placement and housing.

The Center for Women in Transition also advocates for women who have committed non-violent crimes, and meet other criteria, to be sentenced to our mentoring program and time in supervised transitional housing rather than prison. This allows us to help women address the basic causes of the criminal behavior and provide the direction and support needed for changes in behavior.

Learn about Becoming a Volunteer Mentor

Be a volunteer mentor for the Center for Women in Transition by working with newly released women who have been incarcerated for non-violent offenses. You could provide a one-on-one mentoring relationship to a woman in need by helping her establish and stay focused on healthy and productive goals.

As a mentor, you have an opportunity to assist another woman a chance to focus on realistic goals, encourage her in her efforts of being reunited with family and lend a listening ear and a caring heart. A time commitment of two to five hours a week is needed for one year.

Attend an orientation & training program to learn more about the Center and the program. The full training is one Saturday session from 9am to 3pm. Training is held at our office in South St. Louis city.

For more information, please contact our mentor coordinator, Chris Deason at chris@cwitstl.org.