Welcome Home Reentry Mentor in Washington, DC
Become a support to somebody as they continue to transition back into their community. The Welcome Home Reentry Program (WHRP) assists men and women returning to their communities after incarceration by matching them with trained mentors from local parishes and the broader community.
Welcome Home Mentors make a one-year commitment to help empower mentees by offering guidance, a positive support network, and connections to training and resources to facilitate smooth and successful community reentry. WHRP and its mentors offer a bridge to responsible citizenship for people who have been in prison, jail, or on probation. Mentors are not expected to be case managers, but to provide social support.
The Welcome Home Reentry Program (WHRP) assists men and women returning to their communities after incarceration by matching them with trained mentors from local parishes and the broader community.
Welcome Home Reentry Mentors will be responsible for:
- Facilitating and supporting mentor relationships
- Helping mentee develop goals for reentry
- Assisting with obtaining employment, housing, mental and physical health care, and substance abuse treatment (Referrals will be provided to the mentee with assistance from the WHRP Coordinator)
- Notify coordinator of needs for direct support assistance (transportation, educational, or work‐related needs)
- Attending scheduled mentor trainings
Desired Skills, Experience & Characteristics:
- Dependable
- Positive role model
- Patience with others and with program trainings
- Ability to support others in executing their own plan
Qualifications:
- Mentors must be at least 25 years old
- Mentors must be able to serve in Washington, DC
- Mentors must be able to serve for 1 year
Volunteer Benefits:
- An opportunity to meet people from all walks of life
- A better awareness of those in your community
- Occasional training and workshops
Support:
- Mentors will participate in Catholic Charities Volunteer Orientation
- Accepted mentors will be matched with a returning citizen who has requested a mentor
- The WHRP Coordinator will facilitate the first meeting between a mentor and mentee to assure everyone is comfortable with the match and understands the expectations
- Training will be offered throughout the course such as:
- Welcome Training for Mentors
- Trauma informed care
- Mentee Cellphone training
Time Commitment:
- Volunteers will serve for 4 hours a month
- Volunteers must serve for 1 year
- Once matched, the volunteer and mentee will determine their own meeting schedule
Location:
- Once matched, the volunteer and mentee will determine their own location in Washington, DC