Mentoring Children of Prisoners

The Mentoring Children of Prisoners (MCOP) program is a special extension of our Community-based Program, developed to meet the unique needs of children with incarcerated parents.

As in the Community-based Program, Big and Little Brothers and Sisters can meet at various times and places. These mentors and youth go to theater and sporting events, share meals together, try a new activity together or just talk about their lives.

There are 7,600 children in Minnesota with a parent in prison. These children have a host of problems unique to their situation. They must deal with feelings of shame, anger and fear, as well as rejection from family and friends.

MCOP provides these children with caring adult friends who can show them the way to a positive future and productive adulthood. To meet the needs of these children, Big Brothers and Sisters in the MCOP program receive special training and support.

Through MCOP, BBBS is building a stronger society by breaking the cycles of violence, chemical abuse and school drop-out rates.  By having contact with a caring adult, the children have someone to talk to, listen to them and show that history need not repeat itself.

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