STEPUP


Who We Are

StepUp is a faith-based mentoring initiative and strategic partnership between OneCity and JobsPlus which provides relational support for River City Correctional residents, and employment and advancement resources for Jobs Plus clients on their path toward self-sufficiency.

What We Do

StepUp is a life-on-life program which:
  • Provides support to River City residents through regular visitation, spiritual guidance, and positive re-entry planning
  • Pairs Jobs Plus post-graduate associates with mentors in order to set goals and build resources, promoting long-term job retention and advancement

The Need

  • There are 88 counties and 116 jail facilities in Ohio serving 20,052 inmates
  • There were 17,500 parolees in Ohio in 2007 (www.nicic.org)
  • 67% of ex-offenders are re-arrested
  • 60% of Jobs Plus clients have had a felony or misdemeanor

The Impact

The impact of StepUp on men and women can be significant:
  • Ex-prisoners who are mentored are 10 times less likely to return to prison
  • Mentoring programs cost five times less per year than returning to prison
(Source: study conducted by TOP prison mentoring program, 2005)

Who Can Mentor?

Christ-followers, 22 years and older, who care about people living in poverty and who have a steady employment history.

Role Description

A StepUp Mentor is a positive role model committed to building relationships with JobsPlus clients while encouraging job retention, resource advancement, and spiritual growth.

Responsibilities

  • Develop a positive relationship with a JobsPlus client
  • Help client work towards achieving personal goals
  • Communicate progress/issues with team leader

Time Commitment

  • 4-6 hours per month
  • 1 year commitment

Training

Jobs Plus will provide training on Mentoring Components, Cultural Awareness, Cultivating Relationships, Setting Personal Goals. Training is monthly and TBD.

Support

All StepUp mentors will be placed on a subteam of 4- 6 people with a leader to offer support. The team will meet quarterly and also connect via e-mail. Each mentor will receive a resource binder with local service provider info.

For more information on these volunteer opportunities, please contact: dwhitaker@jobsplusnetwork.org; 241-1800

How to Get Started

  1. Email: stepup@onecity.org
  2. Fill out an application. Click here to download the application now. 
  3. Attend a training
  4. Meet your sub-team
  5. Begin mentoring!