04/15/2026
๐ช๐ฎ๐น๐ธ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ผ๐ด๐ฒ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ฟ: ๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐ต๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ฟ๐ ๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ป๐ด
At Catholic Charities, we believe that no one is defined by their worst mistake and that meaningful relationships can change the course of a life.
For Nicole, that belief became real when she was released from prison and returned to a community that felt unfamiliar and overwhelming.
โI didnโt really have anyone to talk to,โ she shared. โI had my parents, but you need more than that. You need someone outside your world, someone you can be honest with.โ
Through the Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Dubuque Jail and Prison Reentry Program, Nicole was matched with Marsha, a volunteer mentor who was simply looking for a way to give back.
โIโm retired, and I wanted to be involved in my community in a meaningful way,โ Marsha said. โWhen I learned about this program, it just felt right.โ
What neither of them expected was how quickly their relationship would grow into something deeper. Nicole admits she was nervous at first. โI remember thinking, โAm I going to be too much for her?โ But we just clicked. Our values, the way we see the world, it all lined up.โ
Marsha saw something in Nicole right away. โSheโs energetic, positive, and determined,โ she said. โI could tell from the beginning that she has everything she needs to succeed.โ
What started as weekly coffee meetings soon became something both looked forward to.
โWe solve the worldโs problems,โ Marsha joked. โBut really, itโs just a good, honest connection.โ
Nicole describes it more simply: โItโs like having a big sister.โ
Continue reading at
https://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/stories/walking-together-the-heart-of-reentry-monitoring/
