EDMONTON - A former inmate is crediting a local mentorship program with helping her turn her life around.
The program, operated by Edmonton's Mustard Seed, re-integrates inmates into society, something Kris Knutson, who works for the organization, believes makes a big difference.
"Most of us don't grow without having teachers or mentors in our life. And people coming out of prison are no different. We want them to change, but people don't change in isolation. They need people to walk with them through change," he said.
Marina Smith met her mentor, Jessica Thomson, earlier this year, while serving a 22-month sentence for shooting a family member. It's an incident Smith says was fueled by anger and an addiction to drugs and alcohol - a lifestyle she has walked away from.
When she was released in mid-October, Smith's mentor-turned-friend was right there waiting for her.
"It was like a breath of fresh air. Seeing her smile, seeing her so welcoming and helping me with my stuff. It was a good feeling for someone to be there, and want me to do good," the former inmate said.
Smith is now raising her three-year-old daughter and planning to finish high school.
"I see a future. I see myself being someone."
Her relationship with her mentor hasn't been one-sided.
"She's helped remind me that people are resilient," said Thomson. They can have terrible things happen to them and make not so positive choices, but they can heal and they can give back."
Over the last 12 years, about a hundred inmates have used the Mustard Seed's one-on-one mentorship program.
With files from Laurel Clark, Global News
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