The Transitional Mentoring Program provides mental, emotional, physical and spiritual assistance to highly motivated women both during their incarceration and as they transition back into society, thus empowering them to make positive changes in their lives and to achieve self-sufficiency. We also train volunteers to work with women in transition (WCCW residents) as they prepare to reenter society. Transitional Mentors serve as a personal role model before and after release, assisted with such things as job and house hunting, and setting up a budget. They met face-to-face with residents in the prison, attend onsite group mentoring meetings, and use “transitional passes” set up specifically for putting the transition plan into action. (Ideally, the role model relationship begins two years prior to release and continues post-release for at least one year.)

The Transitional Mentoring Program provided mental, emotional, physical and spiritual assistance to highly motivated women both during their incarceration and as they transition back into society, thus empowering them to make positive changes in their lives and to achieve self-sufficiency. Ministry of Hope also trained volunteers to work with women in transition (WCCW clients) as they prepared to reenter society. Transitional Mentors served as a personal role model before and after release, assisted with such things as job and house hunting, and setting up a budget. They met face-to-face with clients in the prison, attended onsite group mentoring meetings, communicated by mail, and used “transitional passes” set up specifically for putting the Transition Plan into action. (Ideally, the role model relationship begins two years prior to release and continues post-release for at least one year.)

Our newest program was for understanding grief (started in 2020), and it helps guide and facilitate a support group uniquely designed to help those suffering from loss to explore the many facets of their unique grief through journaling. Ten essential touchstones are covered, including being open to the presence of loss, dispelling misconceptions about grief, embracing the uniqueness of grief, seeking reconciliation, and reaching out for help. Those participating in the program are asked specific questions about their feelings of grief as they relate to the ten essential touchstones and are provided with journaling supplies for their reflections. Supplies for the attendees is provided by the Ministry of Hope, and this program is a 12 week session (1 class per week) – serving 10 women per session, and is offered twice a year.

The “Read-Me-A-Story” Program allowed mothers to read and record bedtime stories to send to their children (along with the book), to be listened to over and over during their time of separation.

Houses of Healing, a spiritual recovery from domestic violence program, was developed as a first-of-its-kind by Chaplain Dalton, supported the healing and recovery of WCCW residents. Twice each year groups meet for twelve-weeks using evidence-based curriculum developed for prisons. The material deals with childhood and adult trauma. The chaplain adds material directly related to survivors of domestic violence and intimate partner abuse. These women often choose to spend one-on-one time with the chaplain addressing their specific recovery needs.

We help facilitate a variety of programs throughout the year for mothers and children to have opportunities to visit. A Mothers and Teens Retreat is often held at Land of the Sky UCC (in Asheville) to allow for reunions and bonding with age appropriate activities and outdoor events.

We also helped WCCW build and furnish a “Family Reunification Center” that provides an apartment-like setting.