Submitted Report
Seedling, a nonprofit organization serving children who have an incarcerated parent, is seeking mentors in Hays Consolidated ISD’s Kyle schools for the spring semester. Seedling is seeking to match at least 8 more elementary and middle school students with volunteer mentors over the next month.
Seedling’s mission is to support children challenged by parental incarceration with innovative, research-driven, school-based mentoring. Seedling serves children in HCISD, Austin ISD, Del Valle ISD, Pflugerville ISD and KIPP Austin Public Charter Schools with a trained volunteer mentor. Mentors typically meet with the child once per week during the lunch hour.
There are an estimated 8,000 kids that have a parent in jail or prison in the four county area of Travis, Hays, Bastrop and Williamson counties. The organization began mentoring children who have incarcerated parents in 2005 at the request of principals in local school districts.
Based on best practices for mentoring, Seedling trains and supports its mentors, specializing in the challenges faced by a child who has an incarcerated parent.Individuals can go to the Seedling website www.seedlingmentors.org/mentor to complete the application or call Seedling at 512-323-6371 with questions.
