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HOPE is a mentoring program for incarcerating youth. HOPE's mission is to help youth become positively involved in their communities to prevent and reduce recidivism. The program pairs undergraduate students who serve as positive role models who serve as mentors. As mentors, they help youth develop the skills necessary to get and keep employment. Mentoring begins during the time of incarceration and continues when youths return to their communities. ​

 

Theresa Ochoa, an Associate Professor at Indiana University is founder and director of the HOPE Mentoring program. She is collaborating with Yanua Ovares, and her team, at the University of Costa Rica to implement HOPE for Youth in Costa Rica.

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