We are currently seeking mentors to meet with inmates and ex-offenders in the Central MN area.  Please contact us by phone or with the contact page on this web site if you are interested in learning more about the volunteer mentor position.

Who is a Volunteer Mentor?

Volunteer Mentor Application Form
Volenteer Hand Book

A mentor is an individual who:

• Is 21 years or older
• Chooses to undertake a service activity: i.e. someone who is not coerced or compelled to do this activity
• Is not a paid employee of the agency or faith group they represent
• Is trained, supported and supervised by the collaborating community agency
• Will be treated with respect by program staff, other volunteers, and returnees
• Understands her/his role is not to counsel but to befriend; to “walk with”
• Serves as a bridge back to community, and be a role model
• If an ex-offender, is a least two years off paper
• If chemically dependent, has two years of sobriety
• Shares their faith journey appropriately
• Assists Returnee in finding community faith resources that fit the individual’s needs and beliefs

Characteristics of a Volunteer

A Well-Balanced Temperament - If you have to many problems, yourself, you may have trouble helping others. Don’t add to the anxiety of the Inmate/ Returnee by working out your own problems through them.

Dependability - If you have taken on a particular commitment, follow through. Remember that the your friend has been let down too many times already.

Trust - This is a sensitive and important issue to remember when relating to your friend. Inmates/returnees generally have learned to be suspicious of everyone. Your effectiveness depends upon an honest relationship. Do all you can within the boundaries of the mentor project to build a trusting relationship with your friend.

Perseverance - If your meetings are not going too well, don’t quite. It sometimes takes a while for trusting relationships to form. If difficulties arise don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Understanding - Try to be generally understanding, but don’t be naive. Appreciate a problem but don’t make it your own. This process is about empowerment of the inmate/returnee, not dependency.

Communication - Listen, share, laugh, talk, and act as if you would with a friend. If you have difficulties relating to your friend or if communication problems arise, please consult your Volunteer Coordinator.

FOUR PRINCIPLES TO REMEMBER

1. Every person has a story: Like all of us, offenders need to feel heard and respected. Many of them have experienced crime, abuse, and chaos as children or in prison and they need a chance to express their own trauma and grief. In addition, their family, crime victim(s), and the community need opportunities to tell their stories.

2. Messiness is okay: Often offenders are returning to families, neighborhoods and relationships that are full of chaos and complexity, CMNRP understands that it is not possible to “fix” all of the messiness but we try to help them to find strengths and assets in the reality of their lives as the are.

3. We “clear the path”: It is tempting to believe that we know what is best and to tell offenders what they must do to solve each problem they encounter. However, for there to be a long-term success CMNRP has found that if we help them clear the path, offenders will find their own answers.

4. Hope is essential: By building and maintaining trusting relationships, CMNRP staff and volunteers tries to keep hope alive even-especially-in the most hopeless situation. (Sometimes hope is all we have left!) Regardless of relapses or recidivism, CMNRP program participants are welcome to come back for services for as long as needed.

“People who share a strong sense of community are far less likely to violate the trust of others. Their stake in and bond with the community is the strongest force of guardianship to prevent crime from flourishing.”

Please feel free to mail in or e-mail a volunteer mentor application by clicking the link below!
Volunteer Mentor Application Form