The United States of America incarcerates and releases millions of people from jail and prison every single year. It can be exceedingly difficult for many people who have been convicted of a crime and served a sentence to get back on their feet again. Finding a job, a place to live, and a purpose may all become difficult obstacles for an individual. Without these things, chances of recidivism are much higher. There are many ways that volunteers can help people who have been previously incarcerated. Volunteering can help bring hope and motivation to an individual that needs a helping hand at starting over. If you are interested in helping someone get a second chance, here are the three things you can do to help.
Volunteer in a prison or a jail
The Federal Bureau of Prisons has programs that are made to help current inmates and released individuals through financial skill-building, resume writing, mentoring, vocational training, and many other areas.
You can check with your state Department of Corrections for similar programs.
The Inside Out program is an organization that matches college students in a traditional university setting with those who are still learning while incarcerated.
Share a skill
PEN is a national writers’ organization that has created a handbook to help incarcerated writers improve their writing.
The PEN Prison Writing Contest offers a mentorship program that partners incarcerated writers with one of the 250 writing teachers.
Advocate James Forman, Jr.’s website also lists several state programs to help incarcerated individuals.
As you connect with organizations to helper former inmates, you will start to learn how you can use your own skills to help them.
Running practice interviews, teaching them meditation and relaxation techniques, and helping them connect with local services can all help the individual feel more supported.
Help them to thrive
Volunteers of America is an organization that helps provide correctional re-entry services to help formerly incarcerated individuals transition to a productive, community-based way of life.
The program works with both adult and youth offenders to help them find success once they are out of prison or jail.
Halfway houses, work-release programs, day reporting, diversion and pre-trial services, residential treatment, family support, and dispute resolution are some of the services that are offered.
The program From Prison Cells to PhD needs volunteers to everything from being pen pals, mentoring, and tutoring individuals, and much more.
This organization works to help support and change the lives of people with criminal convictions.
You can look for some organizations in your area that are a good match to use the skills you have.
You can also look for more opportunities at createthegood.aarp.org
createthegood.aarp.org connects you with volunteer opportunities to share your life experiences, skills and passions in your community.
Ethel Percy founded this website.
“The Challenge, to live up to our better selves, to believe well of our fellow men and perhaps by doing so to help create the good, to experiment, to explore, to change, and to grow.” ~ Ethel Percy
If you are interested in helping people looking for a fresh start, and a second chance, this type of volunteering may be right for you.