Who We Are

Roots and Horizons is a community-supported, mentoring program serving children of incarcerated parents in the Rancho Cordova and Folsom area. Our mentoring program, based on a nationally successful model, is proven to reinforce the emotional, social and physical well-being of children of prisoners. Roots and Horizons not only supports youth mentees by matching them with older, adult mentors but also offers ongoing activities that bring together all participants for fun days of exploration, learning and laughter. Our mentoring program envisions a community in which there is a collective effort to provide every child of an incarcerated parent with a nurturing and supportive adult mentor. Mentors support each child’s strengths and empower them to discover their own talents, set their own goals and reach their own dreams.

What We Do

Mentors in the program commit to one year of weekly meetings and are carefully matched with a mentee according to their mutual interests and personalities. Mentors engage children in a variety of activities such as playing board games, working on homework, going to the movies or just shooting hoops.

To encourage mentoring matches throughout their entire friendship, we also plan ongoing, group activities for everyone to enjoy. Events we have organized in the past include a Disco Skate night at a local skating rink, pool party and BBQ at the Sacramento Marriott Rancho Cordova, celebration dinners and trips to the movies.

Why Our Program Works

Currently, there are over 2.2 million children in the United States with a parent in a State or Federal prison. 58% of those children are under the age of 10 and one in five were present at the time of the arrest. Children of incarcerated parents are seven times more likely to become involved in the juvenile and adult criminal justice systems than their peers.

Mentoring is a leading solution that addresses the problems facing today’s youth. It is a proactive approach that reinforces the emotional, social and physical well-being of a young person. Statistics show that effective mentoring can positively affect youth by:

• Increasing confidence and self-esteem

• Promoting school participation and improved performance

• Preventing substance abuse and teen parenthood

• Decreasing anxiety, depression, aggression and avoidant behavior

• Encouraging healthy lifestyles and providing youth with a wide range of opportunities
  

Start the Adventure Today! (This will be the anchored section for Join Today!)
If you’re interested in becoming a mentor to, please complete an application and fax or mail it to The Partnership today. We’ll equip you with thorough training before you are matched with a mentee, and will encourage and support you throughout your mentoring friendship. As a Roots and Horizons mentor you will also have access to The Scoop (our monthly newsletter), receive a list to hundreds of activities you can do with a young person and receive ongoing, weekly support from Roots and Horizons staff.

Click here to download a PDF of the application form. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader download it here.

Completed forms may be returned to the Eara E. Lovelace Power Center at 10455 Investment Circle, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670 or may be faxed to (916) 361-8683.

Steps to Become a Mentor

• Attend an orientation

• Commit to meeting with a mentee for one hour a week for one year

• Complete and return the mentor application (see above to download application)

• Interview with Roots and Horizons staff

• Provide 3 Personal References

• Clear Fingerprint Background check

• Complete approximately eight hours of mentor training

• Provide copy of DMV record, license and proof of auto insurance

Questions
Please call Katie Willse 916.361.8684 or send an email to KWillse@FCCommunityPartnership.org

Refering A Mentee

Do you know a young person that has an incarcerated parent (between the ages of 8 and 18) who would benefit from having a mentor in his or her life? *Click here to download a PDF of the referral form or if you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader download it here.

Completed forms may be returned to the Eara E. Lovelace Power Center at 10455 Investment Circle, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670 or may be faxed to (916) 361-8683.

*Note: Since the topic of incarceration is often a sensitive subject, we request that you fill out the referral form with the selected family so they are aware they are being referred to benefit from our mentoring program.

Questions

Please call Erica Boekestein 916.361.8684 or email to EBoekestein@FCCommunityPartnership.org for inquiries for youth in the Rancho Cordova area.

or

Katie Willse 916.361.8684 ext. 225 or send an email to KWillse@FCCommunityPartnership.org for all inquiries for youth in Folsom area.

How You Can Help

On-going donation needs for Roots and Horizons include:

• Arts & crafts materials such as crayons and markers, construction paper, painting sets, jewelry beading kits, clay and play dough, glue, scissors, tape, stickers, etc.

• Sports equipment such as basketballs, baseballs, kickballs, soccer balls, frisbees, gloves, etc.
• Computer CDs such as games, educational materials (K-9th grade)
• Board games, puzzles, playing cards

• Books on any area of interest to our family members
• Event tickets or passes
• Gift cards to restaurants or grocery stores
• Sponsor a field trip for program participants

Learn More

Kids get a shoulder to lean on (The Sacramento Bee – May 21, 1006) (PDF)