|
 |
FACTS ABOUT INCARCERATION IN AMERICA
On any given day, America locks down some 2.3 million people.
Of these 656,000 or so are released every year; 2/3 of them
end up behind bars again.
One out of every 32 adults nationwide is under some form of
supervision-house arrest, probation or imprisonment-because
of a criminal conviction.
South Carolina ranks 5th in the nation in the rate of incarceration
per 100,000 residents.
Although these statistics are startling, even more unsettling
is the number of families and children affected by incarceration.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN OUR COMMUITY
The Building Dreams mentoring program offers mentors the
opportunity to become a positive adult role model who provides
young people with a safe and trusting relationship. This program
is for children who have an incarcerated parent. Funded through
a grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,
the goal of Building Dreams is to develop close, supportive
relationships between volunteer mentors and children of prisoners.
Mentoring has been shown to improve a young person’s
commitment to school and self-esteem. It also decreases the
likelihood of drug or alcohol use. Building Dreams uses the
local church as a resource for location possible mentors and
providing additional support for Children.
Building Dreams is a program that works with children ages 6-15
who have a parent in prison, are able to obtain parent/guardian
permission, agree to a one year commitment to the program and
fill out a mentee application form.
Building Dreams is a collaboration of Clemson University’s
Institute on Family and Neighborhood Life, the Youth Leaning
Institute, Clemson Extension, Angel Tree Ministries and community
partners.
ALIVE is excited to partner with Building Dreams to provide
mentors and support for Children with an incarcerated parent
in our local community. We are asking that you join us in
impacting our community for Christ. Mentors sign a contract
that they will partner with a child for a year spending at
least 4 hours a month with the mentee child. Being a Mentor
is simply inviting these children into your life, into your
normal routine it can be yard work, golf, and cooking, shopping
or church activities. ALIVE encourages you to pursue mentoring
as a partnership a husband and wife or friend team can taken
on the privilege of investing in a child’s life.
For more information visit www.clemson.edu/ifnl
Email buildingdreams-1@clemson.edu
|
|
|
