Roots and Horizons is a community-supported, mentoring program serving children of incarcerated parents in the Rancho Cordova and Folsom area. Our mentoring program, based on a nationally successful model, is proven to reinforce the emotional, social and physical well-being of children of prisoners. Roots and Horizons not only supports youth mentees by matching them with older, adult mentors but also offers ongoing activities that bring together all participants for fun days of exploration, learning and laughter. Our mentoring program envisions a community in which there is a collective effort to provide every child of an incarcerated parent with a nurturing and supportive adult mentor. Mentors support each child's strengths and empower them to discover their own talents, set their own goals and reach their own dreams.

What We Do

Mentors in the program commit to one year of weekly meetings and are carefully matched with a mentee according to their mutual interests and personalities. Mentors engage children in a variety of activities such as playing board games, working on homework, going to the movies or just shooting hoops.

To encourage mentoring matches throughout their entire friendship, we also plan ongoing, group activities for everyone to enjoy. Events we have organized in the past include a Disco Skate night at a local skating rink, pool party and BBQ at the Sacramento Marriott Rancho Cordova, celebration dinners and trips to the movies.

Why Our Program Works

Currently, there are over 2.2 million children in the United States with a parent in a State or Federal prison. 58% of those children are under the age of 10 and one in five were present at the time of the arrest. Children of incarcerated parents are seven times more likely to become involved in the juvenile and adult criminal justice systems than their peers.

Mentoring is a leading solution that addresses the problems facing today's youth. It is a proactive approach that reinforces the emotional, social and physical well-being of a young person. Statistics show that effective mentoring can positively affect youth by:

• Increasing confidence and self-esteem

• Promoting school participation and improved performance

• Preventing substance abuse and teen parenthood

• Decreasing anxiety, depression, aggression and avoidant behavior

• Encouraging healthy lifestyles and providing youth with a wide range of opportunities