HOPE Services Hawaii, a Catholic non-profit organization based on the Big Island that combats homelessness, has launched a program in partnership with the Department of Public Safety to help recently released Hawaii Island prisoners transition back into the community.
The two-year pilot “Mentoring” program will provide support, mentorship and skills training for 50 adult male and female inmates island wide. It will teach positive values, provide training opportunities and assist with securing stable work and living arrangements.
Each participant is matched with a trained volunteer mentor who offers advice and positive support and guidance to accomplish these goals.
“Often, individuals released from incarceration feel helpless in their transition,” said Brandee Menino, HOPE Services chief executive officer. “The mentoring program works with inmates before they are released.”
“It makes all the difference to have someone in your corner that believes in you and gives you hope,” she said.
The mentoring program aims to have participants achieve a level of self-sufficiency through employment and housing to become contributing, productive members of society.
The program has 10 qualified volunteer mentors in East Hawaii, but more are needed. Mentors must be 21 years or older and participate in a training workshop. A monthly support group is open to all volunteer mentors.
For more information, or to become a mentor, call Steven “Happy” Stachurski, HOPE Services Hawaii’s mentoring coordinator, at (808) 935-3050 or send an inquiry to volunteer@hopeserviceshawaii.org.
