I AM MY SISTERS KEEPER: The Importance of Female Credible Messenger Mentorship Among Girls Impacted by Juvenile Detention

• In Event: Love, Healing and Empowerment: Lessons from a Credible Messenger Intervention

Abstract

This paper utilizes concepts of love, empowerment and healing to explore the intimate and fragile relationships among female mentors to girls impacted by the Juvenile Legal System and to highlight the reciprocal relationships that emerged among same-sex mentorship between female credible messengers and the teenage girls they mentored. This longitudinal study explored the experiences of 12 female youth mentees who participated in the Credible Messenger Initiative through the Department of Youth and Rehabilitation Services (DYRS) located in Washington, D.C. The themes discussed during this presentation will include (1) self-confidence, (2) self-value, (3) attitudes toward education, (4) centering health and wellness, (5) understanding the importance of love and leadership and the concept of (6) Black girl power. Through these long-lasting mentor-mentee relationships, credible relationships are built alongside a solid sisterhood mentality. This paper centers the importance of women credible messenger mentorship as a means to liberating at-risk girls. Study findings anchor youth experiences and mentor narratives from an asset-based perspective to provide a counter narrative that often leaves out empathy and love in conversations about criminal justice policy and practice.

Author

• Bahiyyah MiAllah Muhammad, Howard University