The mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta is to transform the lives of children through professionally supported, one-to-one mentoring relationships with caring, well trained volunteers.
Mentoring Children of Incarcerated Parents
Research shows that 70 percent of children of incarcerated parents will themselves at some point be incarcerated – unless they have positive adult intervention. There is a program within this program entitled Amachi, a West African word that means “who knows but what God has brought us through this child.” This initiative connects a Little whose parent is or has been incarcerated with a mentor recruited through a local religious congregation. An onsite volunteer coordinator serves as contact to Bigs for ongoing volunteer support and information and the religious site may house trainings or special events.
Generally, a Big and Little get together on their own to share fun activities they both enjoy, which helps them to establish a positive friendship, causing direct and lasting impact on the life of the child. The goal is for this friendship to last a minimum of two years, meeting in-person at least twice a month. Littles range between 6 and 12 years of age and live in Butts, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Paulding or Rockdale County.
Additionally, 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.
NOTE:
Below please find a link to pamphlets provided by “The Family and Corrections Network (FCN)” that entail an array of information to further assist you in your relationship.
http://www.fcnetwork.org/cpl/cplindex.html.