June 2018 SPECIAL EDITION September 2015 Issue | Page 2

September, 2015

Cornerstone Kids Mentoring Program
There are over 1.5 million children in the
United States who have a parent in a federal or
state prison. Sadly, children of incarcerated
parents will spend an average of 6-8 months
separated from their parent(s), and are 6-10 times
more likely to end up in prison than the average
child. The average age of children with an
incarcerated parent is 8 years old, and 22% of
these children are under the age of 5.

Catholic Charities have developed a
program to help children who have an
incarcerated parent. Cornerstone Kids is a
mentoring program for children between the ages
of 5 and 17 with at least one incarcerated parent.
Mentors help young people develop their
strengths and talents by supporting the efforts of
other significant people such as parents, teachers,
and social workers.

barber/beauty salon, the zoo, to sports games,
and movies.
Every mentoring relationship is shaped
by the different personalities, interests, and
needs of each mentor and child. Mentors make a
one-year commitment and the activities they
choose - whether they just talk, play sports, or
read together - reflect these unique qualities. But

Cornerstone Mentors are asked to commit
to spending at least four hours per month in one
on one contact with their mentees. Mentors bring
their mentees on safe, positive outings like the

the real force for positive change comes from
the fruits of the relationship itself: trust,
confidence, enthusiasm, growth, and most
importantly, FUN!
Children are not the only ones whose
lives can be changed by mentoring. For many
mentors, the rewards of reaching out to another
and building a close, trusting relationship are
great, including an increase in personal
enrichment, happiness, and self-knowledge.
Mentors must be at least 18 years of age,
must attend a two-hour safe environment
training, and agree to an FBI background check.
To become a mentor, or to enroll a child in
Cornerstone Kids, simply contact Leo Jackson
at 504-324-4432 or 504-307-9349.

-2-