Making friends. Changing lives.

Mentoring Children of Promise


An estimated 13,000 children in the greater Rochester area have a parent in prison. Besides the obvious disruption in the parent-child relationship, these young people also often face economic, social and emotional burdens. Mentoring programs have been proven to help lead these children on a path toward a brighter future, by reducing first-time drug and alcohol use, improving relationships and reducing the likelihood they will turn to violence.

Compeer’s Mentoring Children of Promise program matches volunteers in one-to-one relationships with boys and girls under age 16 who have an incarcerated parent. Volunteer time can never replace a parent, but it can help with the healing and the waiting.

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13,000 - The number of Monroe County children who have a parent behind bars.

70% - Percentage of those who are likely to also end up in prison.