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Justice, Mentoring & Reentry
Justice, Mentoring & Reentry
Effective Support to Help People Rebuild Their Lives
The Vermont Women's Mentoring Program provides powerful support for individuals who are justice-involved, in transition from prison, treatment court, addiction, and/or mental health crises.
Advocating for People with Unmet Needs
We firmly believe in the dignity of every person. People can change their lives for the better and become self-sufficient. This happens in the presence of compassion, support, education, and accountability. Mercy Connections collaborates with many local non-profits, courts, and state government to successfully improve women’s lives and strengthen community. We also advocate and speak to justice issues, such as maternal incarceration, whenever possible.
Vermont Women’s Mentoring Program
Mercy Connections partners with the Vermont Department of Corrections and others to mentor women+ reentering society from the correctional facility. These women face significant barriers finding safe, affordable housing, employment and employment training, staying in recovery and the stigma associated with crime. Many live with significant mental health challenges, are estranged from family and do not have a safety net of friends on which to rely. Mentors become healthy new companions and serve as hosts in seeking out healthy, new ways to spend leisure time and build social capital.
Our mentors come from all walks of life. We provide a 5-week training program and ongoing support. We match mentees and mentors carefully to help ensure a mutually beneficial experience and ask them to meet a minimum of once a month for a year. Our mentors often say the experience is rewarding and life-changing and that they learn a great deal about matters concerning incarceration and restorative justice. Our mentees talk things over with their mentors and seek their support in staying accountable to their goals.
Programs for Women+ in Prison
Mercy Connections offers educational programs to women at the Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility. Many of the same programs are also offered at Mercy Connections so that the women may continue their education after being released from prison.
Date: Wednesdays, September 11-October 09
Time: 5:30 pm-7:30 pm*
Where: In-person at Mercy Connections
Instructors: Joanne Nelson & Kelly Moran
Description: This program pairs volunteer mentors with justice-involved women (mentees) in order to successfully reestablish their lives post-incarceration.
Volunteer mentors support, coach, and function as new, healthy companions to trauma-affected women facing many challenges. Pairs are carefully matched, and training will provide everyone with the tools they need to be a successful mentor. Mentoring is a yearlong commitment.
We welcome all people who identify as women regardless of assignment at birth, transgender, non-binary, gender nonconforming and gender-expansive folks who are comfortable in a woman-centered space to join the training.
* The last session will be held at the Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility (CRCF) from 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Registration: Contact Joanne Nelson by email, or call 802-846-7164
Registration Deadline: September 10
Description: Staffed by the Justice and Mentoring team, this monthly support group is for mentors who are already paired with a justice-involved woman to ask questions and share experiences in a supportive and confidential environment. Volunteer mentors support, coach, and function as new, healthy companions to trauma-affected women facing many challenges.
Dates/Locations:
September 30, in-person at Mercy Connections
October 23, in-person at Mercy Connections
November 13, via Zoom
December 16, via Zoom
Time: 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Instructors: Joanne Nelson & Kelly Moran
Registration: Open to all mentors
Date: Tuesdays, July 09 - August 06
Time: 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Where: Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility (CRCF)
Instructors: Heather Gilbert & Kelly Moran
Description: Participants will have the opportunity to find inspiration and great discussion in this community-building program.
The program will begin with watching a brief TED Talk or other thought-provoking videos, and then engage in a facilitated discussion of the ideas presented.
Registration: Open to CRCF participants only
Date: Tuesday, September 10
Time: Held in two separate sessions
5:00 pm-6:00 pm
6:15 pm-7:15 pm
Facilitators: Heather Gilbert & Kelly Moran
Description: Incarcerated individuals may attend an introduction to Mercy Connections and learn more about the various Personal Growth programs held at CRCF. Participants may discuss the programs offered, as questions and determine which program they would like to enroll in.
Registration: Open to CRCF participants only
Date: Tuesdays, September 17-November 12
Time: Held in two separate sessions
5:00 pm-6:00 pm
6:15 pm-7:15 pm
Instructor: Heather Gilbert
Description: Read an inspiring short novel about resilience, working together, and survival to prompt reflection about these themes in their your own life.
"Two Old Women," by Velma Wallis is based on Athabascan legend, and tells the story of two Indigenous women who are left in the wilderness to survival. Class participants will identify parallels and strengths in their own lives to find tools for living, problem solving, and building community.
Registration: Open to CRCF participants only
Date: Tuesdays, December 03 and 10
Time: Held in two separate sessions
5:00 pm-6:00 pm
6:15 pm-7:15 pm
Facilitators: Heather Gilbert & Kelly Moran
Description: Circle is a supportive experience where people can take time to reflect on peace, hope and healing. Participants find renewal and gain strength as they listen to and talk about experiences. This is a special time to feel part of a nurturing community and imagine new possibilities.
Registration: Open to CRCF participants only
“I know if I was struggling with anything, I could call my mentor and she would do anything she could to help me through it.”
- Tricia, Former Mentee
Learn more and apply for a mentor, or to be a volunteer mentor by contacting Joanne Nelson, Director of Justice and Mentoring, at 802-846-7164