

Mentor Kah'Reem Copeland checks out cars with Vladimir Torres at an auto show at the Providence, R.I. Convention Center, Feb. 2, 2012. Kah'Reem and Vladimir have been meeting together for over a year after being paired up through The Rhode Islanders Sponsoring Education program. Ann Hermes/Staff
The Rhode Islanders Sponsoring Education (RISE) Program hosts a cooking event for mentors and mentees at the Community Prep School in Providence, Rhode Island, Feb. 9, 2012. RISE, which provides mentors to children with an incarcerated parent, holds group events once a month for members. Ann Hermes/Staff
Nala Booze, makes a bracelet with her mentor, Beaula McCoy, before dinner at Big Momma's Chicken and Waffles in New Orleans, Feb. 7, 2012. Nala and her sisters Atika, and Kayla, often meet as a group with their mentors, who were a part of Mentoring Children of Prisoners. MCP was a signature program of the Bush-era faith-based initiative domestic policy. Ann Hermes/Staff
Mentor Kah'Reem Copeland with Vladimir Torres, 12, at an auto show in Providence, R.I. Feb. 25, 2012. Vladimir says it was his favorite outing with his mentor in the year that they've been meeting. Ann Hermes/Staff
RISE mentor, Rikki Colacurcio, shows mentee Selene Garcia how to skate in downtown Providence, R.I., Dec.14, 2011. Ann Hermes/Staff
Atika Booze (l.), and Brenda Williams, watch as Beaula McCoy greets her mentee, Nala Boozoe, before the group sits for dinner in New Orleans, Feb. 7, 2012. Despite the loss of federal funding for Mentoring Children of Prisoners programs, the Booze sisters continue to meet with their mentors regularly. Ann Hermes/Staff
Kah'Reem Copeland teases Vladimir Torres at a RISE cooking event for mentors and mentees at the Community Prep School in Providence, R.I., Feb. 9, 2012. Vladimir waited a year to be paired with Kah'Reem as male mentors are harder to find in such programs. Ann Hermes/Staff
RISE hosts a cooking event for mentors and mentees in Providence,R.I. Feb. 9, 2012. Ann Hermes/Staff
From left, Nala Booze, Beaula McCoy, Brenda Williams, Kayla Booze, Atika Booze, and Shatara Williams make jewelry before dinner in New Orleans, Feb. 7, 2012. Shatara, Beaula, and Brenda are all mentors paired with the Booze sisters through Mentoring Children of Prisoners. Ann Hermes/Staff