What is the Mentoring Program?

The Restorative Justice program set up the mentoring component because we saw a need for these services in our community for this particular population. Our program serves at-risk and challenged youth ages 10-18 who are currently involved in the juvenile justice system through probation, social services, the courts, or community group conferencing. Needless to say, these are some of the youth that are in the most need of a positive and caring mentor in their lives.

The purpose of this program is to assign a challenged, at-risk youth to a volunteer community member – a Mentor, a friend. Through this relationship we attempt to empower youth to reach their full potential as compassionate and responsible members of the community. It cannot be expressed enough how greatly these kids need an encouraging, thoughtful and devoted adult in their lives with whom to spend time. Many of the youth that we serve come from broken homes that may be filled with alcoholism, drug use, and abuse. It is our goal to provide a relationship for the juvenile that is optimistic and teaches them positive life-living skills. As a program, we strive to provide the mentoring matches with enjoyable, enlightening, and encouraging activities.

Mentoring Guide

A mentor with the Restorative Justice Program is a positive and caring adult who has committed to make a difference in the life of an at-risk youth from our community.

Mentors will be a friend, listener, cheerleader, confident, coach, and career model. Mentors are not parents, therapists, parole officers, saviors, ATM machines, or taxis.

To be a mentor with the Restorative Justice Program one must make a strong commitment to meet with the youth 1-2 hours a week, work to develop positive life skills with the youth, be a positive role model, and encourage educational and vocational pursuits

All mentors are required to be 18 years of age or older, be willing to work with at-risk youth, pass a criminal background check, and be committed!

Community Work Service is an after school program generally for younger juveniles who are too young to work or unable to find work. The crew works Monday-Thursday from 3:00pm – 4:30pm in the summer and 3:45pm – 5:00pm during the school year. We work at various sites throughout Winona. A few of the sites that we work are as follows: mulching trees at the parks throughout Winona, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Sign Shop, Kolter Bike and Fitness, Winona Volunteer Services, and the Community Garden.

As a restorative program, we make the work service that we do as beneficial, educational, positive, and rewarding as possible. The supervision of the crew is done by one of the two program coordinators, a site supervisor, one juvenile agent, and community volunteers. The attempt is made to provide positive interaction with the youth to encourage constructive behavior while making them accountable for their actions.