GOODWorks' Mentors
What Does A Mentor Do?
The GOODWorks mentorship program helps women to succeed in every aspect of their lives. Individuals who care deeply about the development of other women who are housed at the York Correctional Institution in Niantic, Connecticut. Through the program, volunteers build trustworthy relationships with other women and assist them with improving their morale, self-development, improving their own values, and help them to get a fresh perspective on their lives. This program has proven invaluable for many women within our GOODWorks community.
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Mentors should continuously develop their mentee's capacity to succeed.
The Definition of Mentoring
“Mentor is a [person]…[who has experienced] leadership and success, and who serves as a combination of teacher, guide, and advocate. Mentors take on the responsibility of seeing out the growth and development of an individual. The exchange between individuals consists of an interplay that is more personal in nature. As such, a mentee is one who actively seeks practical guidance for dealing with professional dilemmas and strategies for career progression.
The mentor [ought] to share their experiences, perspectives, and strategies for success... We anticipate that the will discuss encountered challenges, their decision-making processes, actions they took and we encourage them to articulate why and how their examples relate to your current situation. A mentor is NOT simply an information disposal, parent, supervisor, collaborator or grant magnet. Instead, they are your guiding light, trusted teacher and ally. Respond and tap into their experience and knowledge accordingly.”
GOODWORKS Mentor Training Resources
Designed by Treda Collier Dickenman
What is one thing that you need to tend to? What stands in your way?
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During our last Mentor Training Session we asked ourselves these questions. Our trainer, Treda Collier Dickenman, led us in reflective discussion through where we recognized that we often stand in our own way of accomplishing all of the unique things we were put on this Earth to create, solve, or stop. This holds us back from doing the things we most want/need to do, and often results in carrying water for others, depleting ourselves. Women especially have been socialized to accommodate others, and because of this conditioning we put ourselves last.
We look forward to continuing this discussion in our next session, where we will learn the benefits of prioritizing self and using the Wheel of Power and Privilege (illustrated by Sylvia Duckworth) to better confront the world we live in and understand the complexities of marginalization and how our multiple identities intersect.
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Mentoring Is
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A sound investment in assisting women in becoming self-sufficient. A sound investment in assisting women throughout their journey to become self-sufficient. The commitment of time is a big aspect of what we do and we believe that it is important to keep all appointments with those who need our services. We understand that it may take time and patience to build a positive relationship between our mentors and mentees, and we understand the high reward that soon follows.
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Expressions of Gratitude
Our mentees often send notes to GOODWorks, Inc and their mentors. We like to keep these notes as a reminder of the fruits of our labor; our mentors have the chance to help create real, positive change for an individual - and they, in turn, are able to positively affect the lives of those around them. Click through the gallery below to read some of these letters!
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Treda Dickenman, Coach and Minister Sharon Garrett
I knew being at GoodWork was the place I was supposed to be.
There is so much love in the room at these workshops. Every person in the room I believe has the feeling of knowing that they are connected to something good. Personally, I am each woman’s cheerleader; cheering them on to success in whatever their talent and dreams are. I am there not only in the flesh but also in spirit. I love these workshops.
Lisa, you rock.
Mentor Lorna with Mentee Sarah
A message sent to GOODWorks from a former mentee.
A note received from a mentee in York.
A message received from a mentee in transitional housing.
A message sent to GOODWorks from a former mentee.
Growth
Our mentees have exhibited remarkable personal growth as they progress through GOODWorks and beyond. Below are some particularly poignant examples of these changes from present and former mentees we have decided to feature!
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Natasha K. - York CI
Natasha has been involved with GW for the past 3 months. She currently resides in York CI's transitional housing and is the organizer of a therapeutic writing group! Since her incarceration, Natasha has discovered a passion for creative writing. Through journals and poetry, she feels that she is better able to process past traumas while having a tangible way to mark her progression and growth. In her writing group, she shares her knowledge and encourages her peers to face their traumas as well.
Click the icon to read her poem entitled "Look at Me Now."
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Serena G. - Hartford, CT
A former mentee, Serena is now spreading her wings! She has graduated into a GW mentor and has created her own organization dedicated to empowering women. HER ZONE, INC is a grassroots initiative dedicated to assisting Connecticut's young women of color. With "a core focus on Self-Love, Social Development, Media, and Technology, the young women in HER ZONE will learn real-world transferable skills...build[ing] a diverse and profound Global network and sisterhood of positive leaders and influential role models that will confidently impact and guide other to discover their creative-greatness."
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According to Serena,"being involved with GW for the past eight years has not only been rewarding as a mentor but it has helped me change for the better as an individual...GW has increased my self-awareness and how to genuinely pour into other women in need of support. Theresa's genuine, selfless acts, infectious spirit, and profound ability to work deep in the trenches of the Judicial system and champion for women and youth that are often forgotten should be a blueprint everyone can learn from that aspires to be a catalyst of change in their communities. As a successful mentor with GW and with guidance from Theresa, I have now followed in her footsteps to be a staple of change in my community."
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- Serena G. / Founder of HER ZONE, INC.
Our Deepest Fear
A Poem By Marianne Williamson
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Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness
That most frightens us.
We ask ourselves
Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.
You are playing small
Does not serve the world.
There's nothing enlightened about shrinking
So that other people won't feel insecure around you.
We are all meant to shine,
As children do.
We were born to make manifest
The glory of God that is within us.
It's not just in some of us;
It's in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine,
We unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we're liberated from our own fear,
Our presence automatically liberates others.