Mentoring Program

The Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections (ADJC) Mentoring Program assists high risk youth to be successful as they transition back to their communities. It is a faith-based program that also includes community and secular mentor opportunities so that all youth have access to their individual preference. The goal of our Mentoring Program are to provide high risk youth with a caring adult who can:

  • Participate in the youth's transition planning;

  • Help the youth prioritize and set goals;

  • Be a friend and a role model;

  • Support and encourage the youth;

  • Assist the youth and their family with practical needs through faith and community contacts;

  • Introduce youth to work experience opportunities through faith and community contacts; and

  • Be called upon in a variety of ways that are individual to the needs of the youth.


The Mentoring Program requires that youth and mentors are gender matched and when possible, youth and mentors will be the same race/ethnicity, be in proximate geographic locations, and have similar interests. ADJC staff are expected to have contact with mentors for mentoring and supervision purposes two (2) to four (4) times per month and mentors are expected to provide ADJC staff with written/oral reports regarding their contacts with youth on a monthly basis. There are three (3) types of youth / mentor match models available:

  1. One youth with one mentor

  2. One youth with two or more mentors

  3. Two or more youth with two or more mentors

Mentoring Program Guidelines


Prior to being matched with an ADJC youth, mentors must:

  • Must be at least 21 years of age

  • Must belong to a faith or community group

  • Participate in a screening interview

  • Complete a written application and obtain references

  • Agree to and successfully complete a Criminal Background Check

  • Participate in ADJC Community Corrections Orientation

  • Sign a written confidentiality statement and mentor contract

  • Participate in training as required throughout the duration of the mentor/youth match

  • Mentors are expected to make a commitment to participate in the program for a minimum of one (1) year


For more information regarding the ADJC Mentoring Program, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator.