VIP Helps Local Parolees Target
Obstacles to Personal Success
By Angela S. Tillotson

Sometimes we work hard to do the right things and make the right choices, but life decides to throw a wrench into our plans. The Volunteers In Parole (VIP) program realizes this and has established the Targeting Obstacles to Personal Success (TOPS) Fund to assist VIP parolees during their times of need. VIP is the only program in the state that recruits attorneys, and only attorneys, to mentor men and women on parole, as they struggle to turn their lives around.

TOPS is VIP’s program of small cash assistance that helps mentees overcome obstacles they face in making a successful transition back to the community and provides incentives for success. The program is funded entirely by contributions from individual attorneys and grants from law firms, bar associations, corporations and foundations.

There are three forms of TOPS assistance - (1) one-time payments for a specific purpose; (2) grants which can be used for a variety of purposes over a defined period of time; and (3) regular monthly payments for general support over a short, fixed period.

All applicants for TOPS assistance must fill out an application form accompanied with a one-page letter explaining the need for the money. To be eligible, mentees must have been participating in VIP for at least six months. On-going assistance is conditional upon the mentee’s positive behavior (such as continuing to stay in school) and may be renewed.

TOPS grant funds may be used for any purpose that is relevant to success on parole. For example, one-time payments can be used for (1) books, tuition, and other academic or vocational training expenses; (2) obtaining a GED; (3) work-related expenditures such as appropriate interview clothes, tools, driver’s training, or repairing the car needed to get to work; and (4) exceptional requirements, such as tutoring, tattoo removal or a rent emergency. The maximum award is $600, and no payment is approved without a receipt.

When something seems unattainable, we often abandon the dream of achieving it. TOPS grants can help make the “impossible” a reality, and in turn encourage mentees to continue on the right track. One parolee said, “I had gotten a car to get back and forth from work, but I didn’t have any money for car insurance. I knew I needed insurance to drive. VIP helped me get insurance for my car. I really appreciate how VIP helped me.”

The only sources of funds to provide TOPS assistance are contributions and grants. If you are able to make a contribution to the VIP Sacramento TOPS fund or would like to become a VIP Mentor, please contact VIP Program Director Angela Tillotson at (916) 324-4141, ext. 259, or by e-mail at vipsacramento@ earthlink.net.