TOPEKA – Governor Sam Brownback, Kansas Department of Corrections Secretary Ray Roberts and representatives from the Mentoring4Success Initiative will conduct a joint news conference Tuesday to announce that a major goal has been reached in the effort to provide the life-skills needed by ex-offenders to make positive changes in their lives.

The news conference will be held at the office of the Wichita Urban League, 2418 E. 9th Street N., starting at 3:00 p-m.

Mentoring4Success features 12 “lead” organizations throughout Kansas which are experienced service groups that take the lead in recruiting, screening, training, matching and supervising mentors. Guided by the KDOC, these organizations prepare mentors to work safely and effectively with offenders six to 12 months prior to release to reduce their risk of re-offending or returning to prison.

While this should be considered a substantial accomplishment, the search for additional mentors continues because an estimated 4,700 people release from prison each year and at least half need help with housing, employment, family and other issues. Anyone interested in becoming a mentor can contact Gloria Geither, Mentoring Director for the KDOC, at 785-296-0450, or by email at GloriaG@doc.ks.gov.