About Us
Trusted Mentors / About Us
01Mission and Vision
Trusted Mentors is a non-profit organization that provides volunteer adult mentors to other adults leaving homelessness, ex-offenders re-entering society, and young adults aging out of the foster care system. Our volunteer mentors help these at-risk adults stay housed and out of prison.
Trusted Mentors is recognized as the leading provider of adult volunteer mentoring relationships that empower at-risk adults to remain housed and avoid incarceration. Their diverse and proactive board and qualified staff are committed to expanding Trusted Mentors to address the social, economic, political, and physical issues impacting poverty. Referring agencies utilize Trusted Mentors because of its professionalism and effectiveness, and donors see it as their charity of choice
02Who We Are
Trusted Mentors provides adult mentoring in Indianapolis – exclusively for men and women who are re-entering society after incarceration, aging out of foster care, or as risk of homelessness. Our trained volunteer mentors offer guidance and stability, helping adults build independent, successful lives.
03Who We Serve
Trusted Mentors empowers adults in Indianapolis who are re-entering society, facing homelessness, or aging out of foster care by connecting them with caring mentors. Together, we build stability, hope, and stronger communities.
Who Can Be A Mentor?
Anyone can be a mentor! Trusted Mentors need to have a good heart, a stable life, and a non-judgemental attitude. They come from all walks of life – including those who have lived the experience of reentry, homelessness, or aging out of foster care.
What’s the time commitment for a volunteer mentor?
Mentors commit to 6 hours a month for the minimum of a year. They commit to getting together in person and keeping in contact through texts and phone calls in order to build a relationship.
What does training cover?
Training introduces prospective mentors to the essentials of successful mentoring. It covers the dynamics of poverty and re-entry after incarceration, and provides information about how to help a person move forward in their lives.
Can I give my mentee money to help them through a crisis?
The loaning or giving of money is against Trusted Mentors policy. Giving money will skew the relationship away from mentoring and toward the mentee feeling like they owe the mentor. Trusted Mentors can help provide information on local organizations that can help in a crisis.
Who can I ask for help after I’m matched?
The Trusted Mentor staff provides on-going support during the life of the match. They are available for consultation and also offer mentor meetings to share successes and struggles with other mentors and learn from each other’s experiences.
Where do I meet with my mentee?
Mentors meet with mentee in their homes or at an agreed upon meeting place. On occasion, Trusted Mentors will provide free tickets to events in the community.
Is homelessness a problem? Isn’t it their own fault?
n Indianapolis, over 1,600 people are homeless on any given night, and 26% percent are individuals with families. Of the youth who age out of foster care, statistically 1 in 5 will find themselves homeless or incarcerated within 18 months of turning 18 and becoming independent. Choices often affect homelessness, but many who struggle to remain housed have difficult choices and don’t know what options they have before them. Many have given up or find that isolation is easier than moving forward. A mentor can be the support and connection to believing in themselves and that possibilities exist.
Data: 2023 Point-In-Time Count of Marion County Homeless; Annie E Casey Foundation.
How can mentoring prevent homelessness?
Mentoring can prevent homelessness by increasing the support network for individuals and families struggling to remain housed. Poverty can be exhausting and isolating and giving up becomes an option, but a mentor can provide encouragement and options that the individual needs to move forward. Besides, 70% of corporate executives admit to having mentors. Isn’t that a good reason for everyone to have one?
Why mentor ex-offenders?
Many ex-offenders leave prison with the desire to do it differently and not return, but they will have many obstacles on their journey. Statistics show that individuals who have mentors are more likely to find a job – a condition that provides more opportunities and improves other outcomes, such as housing, transportation, and community involvement.
Your Support Creates Second Chances.