Mentoring Children of Prisoners

Bridge Builders for Kids specializes in serving children with an incarcerated parent in order to prevent second-generational incarceration. Their purpose is to connect churches to children of prisoners. Their goal is to equip these churches to minister effectively to the kids and their families.

Are you being called to be a light in this area of need? 

Frequent questions about mentoring a child can be easily answered.  What activities would I do?  How much time would it take?  Am I qualified?  The most important thing to remember is that just being there is very important. Every child benefits from having caring adults in their lives.  The activities are not as important as the attitude.  The hope is that the child will be incorporated into your life naturally and the time spent will be encouraging to both you and the child.  Do what you do naturally and easily, i.e., taking apart a motor, cooking, going to the park with your family or friends, fishing, teaching them to knit, or helping them with homework are but a few ideas.  An hour or two a week is all it takes to encourage a child. If you are between the ages of 18 and 99, you can be a mentor/Life Coach.    If you feel a tug at your heart to help fill this need, or would like to know more about mentoring,  visit: www.bridgebuilders.cc and contact Rosie Koebele

^{God’s Marvelous Providence!}

^{By Rosie Koebele}

_{After months of background checks, interviews, and home visits, we were finally able to match up several “Children of Prisoners” with their adult mentors. Following is a sample of two of the questions I asked the children during the interviewing process. Their answers show how God miraculously provided mentors that matched ideally with the children we serve.}

What is one thing you really get excited about?

What else should your special friend/mentor know about you?

“Having a dog! I love pets!” He is unable to have pets where he lives. (This little boy was matched with a mentor who is a veterinarian!)

“I write poems and rap and music. I love drawing and acting." (This young man was matched with an audio/visual instructor that video tapes drama’s, etc.!)

“Jesus!” (His mentor was drawn to this little guy because of his love for Jesus!)

 “I like pets: lizards, hermit crabs, dogs. I also love science and was on a newscast about the new planetarium!” (The mentor chosen for him is retired from biology and zoology, and also grooms and breeds dogs!)

 “I’m friendly!” Her mom interjected that she was the class clown and a real jokester!(Her mentor is a retired teacher who went to clown college and is herself a real jokester! Not only is the mentor a jokester but also a mother of 6 children, and the gal she is mentoring is the oldest of 6 children!)

_{I continue to be joyfully amazed at the flawless planning on the part of the Creator. When it’s His idea, it’s always perfect. Let the praise be to God for what He is accomplishing thru this ministry!}