HARRIS COUNTY COMMUNITY

ADULT MENTORING PROGRAM (PROBATION)

BACKROUND:

Faith-based and community organizations have a long history of providing an array of important services to people and communities in need of charitable services in the United States. These groups have unique strengths that government cannot duplicate. They hold the trust of their community neighbors and leaders and have great understanding of the needs of the community and its systems.As a result, they are well positioned to understand the unique needs of their community. Furthermore, the sense of mission from which these organizations work often translates into a unique approach to service delivery, a dedication of service to others, and a cultural awareness specific to their surrounding communities.  

 In recognition of this history and ability, President Bush believes it is in the public's best interest to broaden Federal efforts to work with faith-based community organizations. An example of this effort to enhance and expand the participation of faith-based and community groupsin serving those in need is the Harris County Community Supervision and Corrections Department (HCCSCD) Adult Mentoring Program.  

 The HCCSCD Adult Mentoring Program was developed out of President Bush's  Faith-based and Community Initiative. Toward that end, a HCCSCD Faith-based office was created. Their charter is to take their programs to the probationers, into the communities where they reside, and to get faith-based organizations involved. For HCCSCD this would mean an effective way to access community resources and the probationers; for the churches, such apartnership would result in an increased ablility to help those in need, as wellas increaed access to government resouces and contacts for the puposes of grants and other funding sources to develop and expand social service programs in their communities.  

PURPOSE:

 To provide access to mentoring by faith-based oraganizations for probationers by placing satellite county probation offices in the community, and in the churches. 

DESIGN:

 With county probation offices located in churches, probationers would report to those offices instead of downtown in order to improve no-show rates. Faith-based organizations would be involved through the provsion of mentors and volunteer caseworkers to expose probationers to positive role modeling, and support the efforts of the HCCSCD.

 Contact Pastor Gary Thomas at 281-446-7727, mobile: 832-256-1677 or gthomas@ccfh.net   

  Mailing: 3505 FM 1960 East, Humble, TX 77338

   www.ccfh.net