WHO BENEFITS FROM MENTORING CHILDREN OF PRISONERS?
It’s a win-win situation all around. The children, obviously, are the primary beneficiaries of mentoring. But a successful match can also benefit the other parties involved. Take the case of Lottie, the caregiver: Aunt Lottie the Caregiver Lottie has been in and out of sickle cell crises for years. But she’s feeling a lot better now-at least emotionally-because three of the five nieces and nephews in her care have been matched with mentors at CSC’s MCP program. It’s a comfort to her, knowing there is someone for them to talk to when she’s too sick or stressed. Her five lively wards-aged 10, 11, 12, 14, and 15-have a mother who is incarcerated, and not for the first time. They were living with Aunt Lottie for 3 years -after living with their stepfather and then a great grandmother-when Lottie made that crisis call to the program. It wasn’t just her health, she said. “It’s too much. They’re teens now. They need someone in their lives. Someone who can give them balance, help them see some
