Growing up can be hard enough.
Imagine the challenge of growing up in a home broken by incarceration.
It’s with these children in mind that Josephine Hawke, assistant professor of psychiatry, was able to secure a federal grant to establish a program that aims to provide adult role models for children forced to grow up with a parent in prison or on parole.
“Our goal is to find a lot of caring, wonderful adults to step up and help us help kids,” Hawke said.
Mentoring Futures Together is a collaboration between the Health Center, the Hartford family advocacy group African Caribbean American Parents of Children with Disabilities, and the Judah House, a halfway house for women leaving prison in Hartford.
Described by its organizers as a partnership celebrating Hartford’s children, Mentoring Futures Together was formally introduced with a “We Have a Dream Celebration” at the State Capitol Jan. 15, marking the birth of Martin Luther King Jr., the national King Day of Service, and National Mentoring Month.
“We all need to partner together, to work together, to inspire and enable all young people to realize their full potential and promise as productive, responsible and caring citizens,” said State Child Advocate Jeanne Milstein. “Mentoring is a wise and profound investment in the future of not only our city, but the future of the nation and the future of the world.”
In her remarks, Milstein made reference to a team of students from Hartford’s Milner School, the Team Unity Talented Teens, who gave a song and dance performance intending to represent the hope and potential of Hartford’s youth, including a dance routine called “Stay in the Race,” a rendition of “We Shall Overcome,” and a rap about making good decisions instead of taking the easy way out. The children range in age from 7 to 14.
When more children have mentors, it can “raise their expectations, give them hope for a fulfilling future, help them to build confidence and better relationships, and help them do better in school,” said Roland Harmon of the Governor’s Prevention Partnership.
Duckworth Grange of the Department of Children and Families said, “We are living proof that mentoring works. If it weren’t for mentoring, most of us wouldn’t be here with the success we have today.”
Corendis Dawson-Bonner spoke about how mentors helped her overcome some personal struggles from her past, which included incarceration. Today she is the executive director of the Judah House.
“If you want to be a credit to your community, then you need to be doing something good,” Dawson-Bonner said.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services awarded a three-year, $300,000 award for Mentoring Futures Together in response to the grant application Hawke submitted.
Hawke said mentors are heroes: “A hero is the power of one – one caring adult who commits one hour per week for a minimum of one year to mentor a child. This commitment can make a big difference in the life of a child, a family, and a community ravaged by the effects of incarceration.”
Those interested in learning more, volunteering, or becoming a mentor are encouraged to call 860-679-3241 or e-mail MFT@uchc.edu.
