AUSTIN (KXAN) – Children who have an incarcerated parent experience increased challenges and an elevated need for mentoring, according to an annual program evaluation from the Seedling Foundation. The nonprofit provides school-based mentoring impacted by parental incarceration.
Program Overview
Seedling Foundation’s CEO, Dan Leal, emphasized that mentors are essential for the program’s continued success. “Dan Leal, CEO of Seedling Foundation, said mentors are needed for this critical work to continue,” he explained, highlighting the organization’s reliance on volunteer adults to sustain its mission.
Evaluation Results
A recent program evaluation showed 85% of mentees had positive outcomes in at least three of the six key program areas, including building resilience or persistence in a child, which can benefit mentees in school and the rest of their lives, Leal said.
Key Program Areas
School engagement and personal development skills are also part of the program, which benefit the child as well as their peers and teachers.
Backlog and Volunteer Need
But there is a backlog of children who need a mentor. At least 50 children are on the list, but finding mentors has been difficult in the years since the pandemic, Leal said.
Mentor Time Commitment
Leal said being a mentor takes about 35 minutes a week, plus travel time to-and-from a child’s school.
Mentor Role
“You’re giving the child time and attention and a semi-private, semi-public place only on campus, playing games, hanging out, listening. We’re not there to fix any kind of problem. We’re there just to be a friend,” he said.
Community Call
“A third of the matches we have made are continuing mentors because they love it so much, but yet people out there in the community have not really stepped up, whether it’s because of workplace culture, fear, economic stresses, but the kids don’t know anything about that,” Leal said. “They just know that they want the time and attention of a mentor. That would mean so much to them.”
How to Get Involved
“To learn more about the Seedling Mentor Program, visit seedlingmentors.org.”
Program Impact Summary
Seedling Foundation’s annual evaluation confirms that 85% of mentees achieve positive outcomes in at least three of the six key program areas. These areas include resilience building, school engagement, and personal development. The program’s design ensures that mentors can commit about 35 minutes each week, a schedule that fits many volunteers’ lifestyles. The mentors’ role, as described by Leal, focuses on providing a semi-private, semi-public space on campus where children can play, listen, and simply be heard. The impact of this relationship extends beyond the individual child, benefiting peers and teachers alike. Yet, despite these successes, a backlog of at least 50 children remains, underscoring the ongoing need for community volunteers. The foundation’s call for mentors remains urgent, inviting adults who love helping children to step forward.
Take Action Now
If you are ready to make a meaningful impact, consider becoming a mentor today.
