Ten at-risk students sat timidly in a row at the Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF), speaking to trained mentors. In whispers, they described their troubled histories: victims of bullying and assault; domestic violence; sexual abuse; bad decision making; poor choice of friends; lack of self-confidence; or feeling stupid.
Their mentors, 23 incarcerated women, listened with empathy. They had been in their shoes. They also had a loud and clear response. Life tragedies, bad choices, and peer pressure are all sad, but “none of these things define you,” said mentor Perla Vazquez.
The program trains female mentors to provide empathetic coaching by sharing real life experiences as a warning to make healthier life choices.