Become A Mentor

who can be a mentor?

Anyone with a heart for the men and women who want to live a Christian life when they leave the AZ Department of Corrections (ADOC), can be a mentor. Mentors bring their spiritual gifts such as encouragement, wisdom or discernment to their mentees. Most important, the mentor is willing to come along side a man or woman who has little chance of ‘making it’ when released from prison. Solomon said it best:

“If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:10-12

How do I learn more

After completing a training program that equips you to mentor an ex-offender, you will visit and work with your mentee twice a month for up to twelve months prior to his or her release. If you are able to after release, you will walk along side them for six months as they live the plan you helped them to build prior to their release. NOTE: If you have been convicted of a felony or have spent time in prison it is unlikely that DOC will approve you to mentor inside the prisons. However, you can still be involved onthe outside or in the Jail ministry.

Can’t make a twelve-month commitment? ASM also works with men and women who will be released in less than twelve months. This involves three to six months of mentoring prior to release and six months post release. ASM also has ‘mentor teams’ where two mentors come along side one inmate.

“I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.” Matthew 25:40

who will i mentor?

We have ongoing programs for men at Florence, Picacho, Perryville, Fort Grant and Phoenix West. All the women inmates are housed at Perryville, west of Phoenix. The ADOC and ASM staff screen all inmates prior to their admission to the mentor program. These inmates have made a commitment to lead a life that pleases God and they want to ‘make it’ as they transition back to the local community, church and work force. If you are mentoring an inmate after their release, you will work with the men and women while they reside in one of the Discipleship Training Center Apartments, currently located in North Phoenix.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” 2 Corinthians 5:17

How will I be equipped?

ASM has developed a program to help mentors acquire essential skills as they come along side the ex-offender. You will understand the ‘mind set’ of the ex-offender. You will know the obstacles they face in living a life for Christ. You’ll have the tools to build a ‘re-entry’ plan that will guide the ex-offender during the critical first months of ‘freedom’.

“For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11

How do I learn more?

Call us at 602-995-9484, or E-mail us at info@asmaz.com. Come to a “Look Beyond The Bars” event at our Discipleship Training Center Apartments.

Click here to view the latest schedule.