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 be part of another woman’s life by encouraging her to focus on goals and identify new patterns of behavior that can help her develop a more resilient and healthful lifestyle.

Attend an orientation & training program to learn more about the Center and the program. Sessions are held from 9:30-2:00 the first Saturday of each month at our office in South St. Louis city. Weekday sessions can also be arranged.

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