Hour Friend In Deed mentoring program

Basic Information

Address: 36-11 12th Street, Lic, NY 11106
Phone Number: 718-433-4724
Fax Number: 718-433-4728
Director: Sister Teresa Fitzgerald

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Hour Friend In Deed mentoring program
Hour Friend In Deed mentoring program
Hour Friend In Deed mentoring program

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Additional Information

Causes Served: Mentoring Children of Incarcerated Parents
Clearances Required: Yes
Background Check: Yes
Population Served: Children of Incarcerated Parents
Ages for Volunteer: 18+
Hours of Service: minimum of 4 hours a month
Minimum Hours Required: 1 year
Mission Statement:

Hour Children is committed to the compassionate and loving care of children of incarcerated women. Our outreach includes support and empowerment for mothers upon reunification with their families. All persons are encouraged to live and interact with dignity and respect.

Philosophy/Belief Statement:

Hour Children knows firsthand the suffering of children and teens with an incarcerated parent and how important it is for young people to have “positive role models in their lives.”
Approximately 81,000 children in New York have a parent in prison. These children suffer poverty, lack of educational opportunities, peer pressure and gang influence, feelings of anger and abandonment.
Over time, mentored children perform better in school, are less likely to use drugs and alcohol, demonstrate stronger, healthier relationships and are less likely to one day become incarcerated themselves.

Additional Information:

 

WHAT IS A MENTOR?
A mentor is an adult volunteer, 18 years or older, who wants to enjoy activities with a youth that will build a healthy relationship. Mentors meet with a child weekly for an hour or two and offer friendship, support and guidance. We ask that mentors maintain the relationship for at least one year.
HOW ARE MENTORS SCREENED?
We screen mentors carefully by requiring them to submit an application with 3 references, complete a background check, have a personal interview with the Mentor Coordinator, and participate in training sessions. This allows us to make sure that mentors are mature, stable, positive role models who can make and keep their commitment.
HOW ARE MENTORS & CHILDREN MATCHED?
We interview all participants—the mentor, the child and their caregiver to find out their likes and dislikes, interests and preferences. When a possible mentor is found for a child, the mentoring coordinator will contact the mentor, caregiver and child. If each person feels it would be a good match, a meeting is arranged and the match is finalized.
WHAT ACTIVITIES CAN CHILDREN AND
MENTORS ENJOY TOGETHER?
The child and mentor choose what types of activities to do based on their personal preferences. Some activities include: playing or watching sports, going to the movies, hiking, biking, cooking, helping with homework, arts and crafts, or picnics in the park. In other words, mentoring is about having fun!
WHERE WILL MEETINGS TAKE PLACE?
Once the child and the mentor choose what type of activity they would like to do, a suitable meeting place is arranged between the mentor and caregiver