Mentor Support Program for Children of Incarcerated Parents

Nick is a typical sixth-grade student in the Austin Independent School District. He is rambunctious and enjoys playing football and basketball with his brothers and spends much of his free time playing video games. He is small for his age with a short buzz cut and big brown eyes. He smiles easily.

But only six weeks into the world of middle school, he has already been sent to in-school suspension twice, once for not following dress code, and again for punching a classmate who was picking on him. His counselor describes him as a good student and seems surprised by these recent clashes with authority.

Nick has nine brothers and sisters. He shares a bedroom with several siblings in their small East Austin house. Though on the outside he may look like any other 11-year-old, on the inside he worries about much more than the typical grades, girls or sports. When asked what he would wish for if given only one wish, he said, without hesitation, that his dad and older brother would be released from jail.

More than 2 million children under 18 in the United States today who have one or both parents in prison. According to the Travis Community Education Foundation (TEF), a non-profit organization devoted to supporting the Austin public schools, children of incarcerated parents are five to six times more likely than their peers to become incarcerated, often before they become adults.

It is for this reason that TCEF started a new program called the Mentor Support Program for Children of Incarcerated Parents. It was started just last year in four elementary schools and one middle school and has expanded this year to 10 elementary schools and five middle schools.

TCEF Executive Director Sari Waxler said her goal is to have 150 mentors this year, with 10 per school at 15 schools.

Though it is more than halfway to reaching its goal, the organization is still in need of mentors, especially men. For some reason, men have not volunteered for the program as frequently as women.

"It is very important for young boys and teenage boys to have male role models," Waxler said. "Male mentors bring very special gifts to children that sadly are often missing in their lives, especially in the lives of children who have a parent - often the father - in prison."

She said that mentors also tend to request elementary-aged children, leaving a shortage for those in middle school.

"Sometimes people are a bit intimidated by the older children, but they are just that - children," Waxler said. "The middle years are a great time to positively influence a developing child."

Children are desperate to connect with those around them, whether they be a positive role model or not, she said.

"Children are what we call 'hard-wired to connect,'" Waxler said. "That means that they will find connections with others if we as adults don't connect with them. Sadly, the connections they find without our help are too often poor role models or sometimes leaders in gangs."

Mentors are required to meet with their child from 30 to 45 minutes once a week at the child's school. Unlike community-based programs, mentors are not allowed to leave the school grounds with the child without special permission. Mentors are asked to commit to the entire school year so that trust can be established with the student.

By maintaining a dependable relationship with the student, the mentor is able to provide counsel, friendship, guidance and encouragement for the child, which can positively impact the student's academic and social achievement.

The future of many children, like Nick, could easily be determined by the decisions they make over the next five years. In the emotional, turbulent pre-teen and teenage years, having a stable, supportive, role model in his or her life could make all the difference.

For more information or to volunteer, contact Sari Waxler at (512) 323-6371 or e-mail her at swaxlertcef@austin.rr.com.