Mentoring

The Mentoring Program is a very important part of what Morning Star does in its mission to aid and empower the victims of domestic violence.  In order to be a part of a Mentor/Mentee relationship, the Mentee must have a job and a place of her own to live in.  The Mentoring Program is a bridge for the Mentee to use in order to function and live her life to the fullest away from the violent situation she was previously in.  Mentors make the commitment to the program for at least one year and meet with their Mentee once a month.  Each person who would like to serve as a Mentor must be at least 21 years old and agree to have a background check conducted by Morning Star Sanctuary. 

Since the implementation of the Morning Star Sanctuary Mentoring Program in 1999, there have been 87 participants who were moving from shelter to independent living.  Of those 87 participants:
- 5 have bought their own homes
- 6 have received Master's Degrees (one is pursuing a second Master's Degree)
- 1 has completed a PhD program and two more are pursuing their PhD
- 1 has received a RN and two more are pursuing their RN
- 10 others have furthered their education in some manner
- 82 are gainfully employed and are living independently
- Only 2 (2.3%) have returned to their abuser.

The Mentoring Program provides a meal for 70-80 people each month.  A motivational or educational program is presented after the meal to the Mentees while the children are nurtured in another area by our Child Mentors.  As of early 2011, the Mentor Program involves 45 volunteers.  Because of the varied nature of the needs of each Mentee, they may have 2-3 Mentors to help with the unique needs.