CREDIBLE MENTORS
ABOUT CREDIBLE MENTORS
The Credible Mentor is a transformative, mentoring intervention role for formerly incarcerated individuals, with a restorative justice philosophy for individuals in the community at large. The role of a mentor is to connect individuals to care, mentoring, and to provide preventative support to individuals residing in Washington D.C.
Credible mentors are neighborhood leaders, experienced advocates for those formerly incarcerated and individuals with relevant life experiences whose role is to help individuals transform attitudes and behaviors around violence. They serve individuals whose needs go far beyond the traditional mentoring approach of companionship, confidence-building and typical academic, social or career guidance.
WHAT MAKES A CREDIBLE MENTOR SO VALUABLE?
They originate from the same communities, and have turned their lives around
Demonstrate integrity and transformation
Have previously been incarcerated or had involvement with the justice system
Are skilled and trained in mentoring high-risk individuals
WHAT DO CREDIBLE MENTORS DO?
The role of a Credible Mentor involves supporting professionals in various fields related to reintegration, such as supervision, counseling, and social services. This includes tasks like helping individuals articulate their goals, monitoring progress, and modeling coping techniques. Mentors offer educational and career guidance, emotional support, and act as accountability partners.
They bridge communication between supervisees and professionals, integrating personal experiences to tailor plans for success. Mentors aid in decision-making, goal pursuit, and community reconnection while reporting any issues to staff. Drawing from their own experiences, they provide guidance for positive supervision outcomes, maintain documentation, and participate in team meetings to support both staff and supervisees.