Amachi:
Mentoring Children of Prisoners
Research suggests that 70 percent of children of
incarcerated parents will themselves at some point be incarcerated -
unless they have positive adult intervention. That is why mentoring
children of prisoners is a key component of
Big Brothers Big Sisters' goal to reach more kids, especially those who
may face significant risk factors.
Amachi, a West African word that
means "who knows but what God has brought us through this child," is the
name of an initiative that connects children of prisoners with mentors
recruited through local religious congregations.
We screen and match members of congregations with
children who have been identified and enrolled by their custodial parent
or guardian. An onsite volunteer coordinator provides a point of contact
for ongoing volunteer support and information. Because the church,
synagogue, or mosque is a common meeting ground, there are enhanced
opportunities for group events involving matches, or for support and
training activities for volunteers.
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