Chicago- Lawndale Amachi Mentoring Program

Description

LAMP is partnering with 13 local public schools to identify and recruit children whose parents are incarcerated. LAMP recruits mentors from local churches as well as the staff of local schools. LAMP is also partnering with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Chicago, Lawndale Christian Development Corporation, Lutheran Social Services of Illinois, and Habilitative Systems, Inc., to provide an array of services to the children of incarcerated parents and their families.

Through local elementary schools and one high school, LAMP identifies those children who have parents who are incarcerated. We establish relationships with the children and their parent or guardian and determine the benefits of a mentoring relationship for the child. Through local churches, the schools, and the community, LAMP recruits responsible adults who commit to one year of one-on-one mentoring, following a background check and training.

LAMP has thus far made 125 matches and will be working with Caregivers Choice and Goodcity to establish more matches, provide training for mentors, and monitor the relationships over the course of the year.

By providing mentors to children whose parents are incarcerated, LAMP will reduce the stresses on these children so that they can improve their performance in school and their prospects in life.