Children with an incarcerated parent need mentors

The stakes are high for children with an incarcerated parent. Statistically, they are six times more likely to wind up on the wrong side of the legal system themselves.

Fortunately, local families in crisis have a myriad of resources available to them. Yet in one key area, there's a shortfall: adult mentors, willing to provide a positive role model to these at-risk youngsters.

Understandably, families facing this situation don't go out of their way to bring attention to themselves. But they're definitely here, says Theresa Slavkovsky of Sisters Family Access Network (FAN).

"There are families in Sisters Country with an incarcerated parent. It's a reality," she told The Nugget.

At any given time, it's estimated that there are 350 children in Central Oregon with a parent in prison.

Their family members don't just face the trauma of loss, but also a range of economic and social challenges. Commonly, says Slavkovsky, "they lose everything: their homes, schools." The good news is, she says, "That doesn't happen here."

FAN provides an approachable gateway to an array of resources for often-stigmatized family members. Referrals are given for victim assistance, counseling, community food programs and housing stabilization. Kids can usually access medical insurance, free school lunches, the community health center and the Columbia Sportswear winter clothing program.

"If you're in crisis, there are services available," says Slavkovsky.

But there's no doubt, she adds, that beyond the basic needs, these kids would most benefit from a steady and caring adult influence. Mentorships give children their best opportunity to defeat the odds and reach their full potential, while at the same time alleviating some of the pressure on the child's struggling single parent or guardian.

When it comes to mentors, says Slavkovsky, "the need is always greater than the resource."

One program which is fairly unique to this area is the Central Oregon Partnership for Youth (COPY). The Deschutes County Sheriff's Office is one of only a handful of law enforcement agencies nationally offering this type of program. COPY Program Coordinator Bob Moore is actively looking for volunteers from Sisters who are willing to take on a one-year assignment.

"I have been working with Big Brothers-Big Sisters to see if we could connect two girls in Sisters with my mentoring program or theirs," says Moore.

He currently oversees 43 mentor-child relationships in the region, including three in Sisters.

Moore encourages careful consideration of the commitment - for the kids' sake.

"Our COPY kids have often experienced great change and loss. So we put a premium on a volunteer who is around, consistent, (with) no major changes in their lives. After that, just being open to spending time with a kid and not coming in with any real agenda. The rest we can do: training and support, so a volunteer feels well-prepared for this kind of work."

One Central Oregon mentor tries to offer two young sisters opportunities they wouldn't otherwise have, including horseback riding and cross-country skiing. On other visits, she reports, the three just hang out in a coffee shop together playing board games. She also supports the girls by attending their school events. "My heart has been deeply impacted by getting to know these girls," she says, "and it has been a very fulfilling and rewarding experience for me." Already she sees its lasting value: "It is changing the family and changing me."

Slavkovsky has witnessed the impact a caring community can have on children in dire circumstances. Despite the odds against them, she says, "we have some really great success stories: kids that graduate, go on to college, and pay it forward by volunteering."

The next scheduled training class for new COPY mentors is in mid-January, but in the meantime, Moore would be happy to get the ball rolling for those interested. Contact him at 541-388-6651 or go to http://www.deschutes.org/copy for more information. The FAN office is located in the Sisters School District Administration building.