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Justice & Mentoring

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.

See below to learn more and sign up for programs scheduled to be held in Winter/Spring 2024:

Date: Wednesdays, February 21 - March 20

Time: 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm*

Where: In-person at Mercy Connections*

Instructor: Joanne Nelson

Registration: Sign up by clicking the button below or contact Joanne Nelson at 802-846-7164

Description: The Vermont Women's Mentoring Program has a proven track record of pairing 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 year-long commitment.

We welcome all people who identify as women regardless of assignment at birth, who are transgender, non-binary, gender non-conforming and gender-expansive folks who are comfortable in a woman-centered space to join the training.

*All trainings are held at Mercy Connections in-person, unless the weather dictates otherwise. In those rare circumstances, trainings will be held remotely. The last session will be held at the Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility (CRCF) from 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm.

Date(s): Tuesdays, January 01, 09 and April 30

Time: 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

Where: Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility (CRCF)

Instructors: Heather Gilbert, Kelly Moran, Joanne Nelson

Description: This is an introduction event to Mercy Connections and the different activities that are offered at CRCF. Participants will leave knowing more about programs offered, and which ones they would like to sign up for at CRCF or Mercy Connections.

Dates: Tuesdays, January 30 - April 16

Time: 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

Where: Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility (CRCF)

Instructors: Heather Gilbert, Kelly Moran, Joanne Nelson

Description: This course facilitates the process of self discovery and is a perfect introduction to Personal Growth programming at Mercy Connections. Participants will build on their life experiences and reframe the impact of their future through guided activities.

The program aims to connect participants to their inner strengths, gain confidence and find a new sense of belonging and community.

Dates: May 14 - June 18

Time: 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

Where: Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility (CRCF)

Instructors: Heather Gilbert, Kelly Moran, Joanne Nelson

Description: This course provides a safe, peaceful space for learning and growing. Participants are encouraged to trust and respect the group dynamic. Topics studied include strength, hope, peace, gratitude and celebration. Each class session brings with it a challenge and an invitation to practice new skills between meetings.

“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. I have been clean and sober for a little over four years. I am also working with Mercy Connections to become a mentor myself. I cannot wait to start helping others like they have helped me.”

- Tricia, Former Mentee

Learn more and apply for a mentor by contacting Kelly Moran by email or call (802) 846-7164