By Mediha Fejzagic DiMartino
The Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
ONTARIO, Canada — Ron Cochran credits his parents’ emphasis on education and involvement to his success, despite growing up in a drug- and gang-infested neighborhood.
Now the deputy chief of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department wants to do the same for children who have a parent in prison.
“Most of my (childhood) friends are dead or in jail,” Cochran said.
That’s part of the reason he wants to help the children of men and women who are incarcerated.
“God has blessed me with an opportunity to provide them with the same type eye-opening experiences and let them know that the world does not revolve around a (neighborhood) of Pomona.”
Along with his boss, Sheriff-Coroner Rod Hoops, Cochran signed up Saturday to be a mentor for the Life Changing Mentor Program.
“I have some free time on my hands, and it’s time to give back,” Hoops said. “In law enforcement, we witness firsthand the ills of our society. One of my goals is to make sure (the kids) stay out of that dark world.”
Mentors make a one-year commitment to meet once a week with a child 7 to 18 years old who has a parent in a state or federal prison.
Since 2009, the program has trained more than 200 mentors and fostered 40 matches with local youth in need.
“We are looking for more children to help,” said Pastor David Horn who runs the program out of Life Changing Ministries church.
Families interested in finding a mentor can call 1-888-465-2044, Horn said.
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