We are Mentor Seattle.
Our
Founder
Bishop Ivy Gaines
Bishop Ivy Gaines was released from federal custody in 2021 after serving 20 years of a 183-year sentence. Since then, he has dedicated his life to bringing his transformational journey to the world by founding Mentor Seattle, Inc. His mission is to leverage the power of mentorship, education, and mindfulness to address the root causes of violence and distrust in society.
While inside, he faced numerous challenges and setbacks, including 19 unsuccessful attempts at parole. Despite these obstacles, he never lost hope. He devoted himself to studying law, spending 18 years honing his legal knowledge and advocating for his freedom. During this time, he also recognized the profound impact of mentorship and education on reducing violence and fostering positive behavioral change. Drawing from his own experiences, he created programs for the inmate population at six institutions for over 20 years, focusing on mindfulness training, independent thinking, and conflict resolution. These programs achieved remarkable success, leading to a 17% reduction in violence, including inmate-on-staff and inmate-on-inmate incidents.
Inspired by this transformative work, he realized that the same principles could be applied to rebuilding trust and fostering positive relationships in the broader community. With over 23 years of active service in creating, delivering, designing, and facilitating programs, Mentor Seattle now stands as a beacon of hope and progress, committed to reimagining the future of law enforcement and community engagement.
Our People
Craig Means
Chief Strategy Officer mentorseattlecso@gmail.com
Craig Means is a distinguished entrepreneur with extensive experience in business development, negotiations, and conflict resolution. He earned his MBA summa cum laude from the Forbes School of Business and Technology at the University of Arizona, Global Campus.
Craig is renowned for his commitment to excellence and his belief that diligence and persistence are fundamental to success. His leadership has been pivotal in building successful ventures across both startups and established firms. Craig’s dedication to transformative impact aligns seamlessly with his passion for fostering personal growth, social equity, and community resilience.
Joan Trower brings a wealth of experience and resilience to her role. Having served two prison sentences, she has successfully overcome substance use disorder and navigated the complex journey of reunifying with her children and family. Joan's expertise spans a wide array of operational, accounting, administrative, and business management areas. Her strengths lie in her broad understanding, ability to translate data into actionable insights, and her reliability in delivering desired outcomes.
A collaborative team player with an ownership mentality, Joan has a proven track record of delivering high-quality strategic solutions and driving business growth. Her international and cross-functional experience provides her with a unique perspective, enabling her to fully understand problems and propose creative solutions. Joan is an analytical, organized, and detail-oriented professional with senior-level experience across various industries. Drawing on her lived experiences, she is committed to meaningful work, using an authentic and mindful approach that balances personal well-being with community impact.
Joan Trower
mentorseattleops@gmail.com
Alyesha Villalobos
Vice President, Business Development mentorseattlebizdev@gmail.com
Alyesha Villalobos graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Social Services from Central Washington University. She has worked over the last 10 years in the health care and social service industry, providing direct services to the most vulnerable members of our community.
Alyesha has held many roles within social justice organizations, such as a social service coordinator for re-entry facilities assisting individuals who were previously incarcerated assimilate back into their communities. She has first-hand experience with supporting humans in finding their way forward in life to thrive. Alyesha’s compassion for people allows her to support and guide clients to finding a healthy balance within their everyday lives.
Mauriceo Dawson
Mentoring Lead
Mauriceo Dawson serves as the Mentoring Lead at Mentor Seattle Inc., bringing over 21 years of experience with the City of Seattle. Raised with strong morals by a father who was a respected corrections officer in King County, Mauriceo grew up with a deep understanding of discipline and service to the community. This foundation has fueled his passion for mentoring youth, particularly those in challenging circumstances. He connects with youth through shared interests in sports and music, and his lived experience provides him with a unique perspective on the challenges they face. As a mentor, Mauriceo leverages his professional background and personal insights to support incarcerated youth, helping them develop resilience and a positive outlook for their future. He is also a former member of the City of Seattle’s Race and Social Justice Initiative Change Team, reflecting his commitment to equity and social justice in his work and mentorship.
Michael Lidel
Re-entry Programs Director
Michael's journey is a powerful testament to transformation and resilience. Growing up in Rainier Vista as one of seven siblings, he faced unimaginable challenges from a young age, including homelessness and surviving on the streets after being chased from his home at age 14.
Incarcerated for the first time at 18, Michael spent a total of 43 years in high-security prisons, navigating a path shaped by violence, survival, and profound personal change. His early years behind bars were marked by a fight to protect himself, but through intense introspection and a pivotal experience during 18 months in solitary confinement, Michael experienced a divine shift that changed his life. He realized that while pain is inevitable, it is also an opportunity for growth and transformation.
Today, Michael embodies the power of love and the possibility of profound change, driven by the belief that we have the power to shape our own pain into love. His journey from survival to service reflects Mentor Seattle’s mission to empower individuals and communities through culturally responsive and trauma-informed practices. Michael’s dedication to being a living example of love through his words, actions, and deeds inspires those around him to look beyond pain and step into their highest potential.
Contact Us
mentorseattleinfo@gmail.com