Mentoring children with incarcerated parents

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The Central Oregon Partnerships for Youth (COPY) program provides one-to-one community-based mentoring for kids that have an incarcerated parent. Volunteers receive initial classroom training, background checks, and individualized coaching to work with the youth they are matched up with. These youth are not involved in the criminal justice system-they are youth that have been impacted by the choices of their adult caregiver.

Volunteers commit to spending a couple of hours each week with their youth. Often they are engaged in community outings, art projects, or youth enrichment with business and civic partners. This could be exploring the High Desert Museum, participating in park and rec programs, jumping at trampoline parks, climbing in rock gyms, riding bikes, swimming, and much more.

COPY youth are between 5 and 15 years old and live in Deschutes County. Volunteers work with their youth for 1 year- building a relationship and connection. Often, mentors continue past that initial year. They can connect after school, after work, or during weekends. There is a high degree of flexibly in scheduling that time.

Additional information can be found at www.sheriff.deschutes.org/copy or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/deschutes.COPY COPY offers 3-4 Mentor Training per year for new volunteers.