Supporting our neighbors who are impacted at the intersection of our criminal justice and mental health systems by raising awareness, advocating for system change, and accompanying those impacted by providing active mentoring, resources, and solidarity.
Please visit the tabs below to learn more about the various teams.
For more information, contact Janice Andersen.
For information on the Hennepin Connections Ministry, a mentoring program with Minneapolis College Students, click here.
For more information on our other Saint Vincent de Paul Ministries, click here.
Matching mentor teams to accompany a Returning Neighbor re-entering our community after jail or prison, who may be struggling with mental health challenges, and who has expressed a desire for a spiritual connection.
Please contact Janice Andersen with any questions you may have!
Individual Session Form
Mentor Application Form
Working with the community to raise awareness and advocate for change in support of those facing challenges at the intersection of criminal justice and mental health. The current focus for this team is in the area of Juvenile Justice and Mental Health.
The Advocacy Team meets on the 3rd Tuesday of each month from 5:30 - 7:00pm (unless otherwise noted) to strategize and drive meaningful change forward.
NEXT MEETINGS:
- February 24: Kevin Reese, Until We All Are Free voice of experience from the Juvenile Justice System (please note this is the 4th Tuesday of the month for this meeting)
- March 24: Mark Bliven, retired Director of Risk Assessment/Community Notification with the Minnesota Department of Corrections. He will discuss the issue of Juvenile Predatory Offender Registration and the lifetime effect of this registration for juveniles (please note this is the 4th Tuesday of the month for this meeting)
- April 21: Joshua Lynch is a corrections professional with extensive experience working with juvenile populations and delivering cognitive-behavioral programming in structured settings. I have worked for the DOC for twelve years, with ten of those years, spent working with our juvenile population. My work includes guiding youth through evidence-based cognitive concepts, helping them identify risk patterns, and practicing alternative responses in real-time, high-stress situations.
- May 19: Kara Beckman is a researcher at the University of Minnesota Medical School where she conducts applied research with partners in education and juvenile justice, including with the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office. She has testified on her research at the Minnesota Legislature.
- June 16: TBD
If you are interested in volunteering with this team or joining any of the sessions, please contact Janet Grove at jggrove@embarqmail.com.
We are currently developing programing to provide opportunities to share compassion, solidarity, and God’s love with neighbors involved in the criminal justice system, including through communication and letter writing.
Questions? Please Contact:
Janice Andersen
Director of Christian Life
Janice Andersen has been on staff at The Basilica of Saint Mary since 1994, working with programs…
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