For all volunteer opportunities, please contact:
Lynn McLaughlin
Coordinator for Restorative Justice Ministries
215.351.1456
lynnm@ecs1870.org
Ministry with Victims
Office of the District Attorney,
Juvenile Court Division
Volunteers are needed to provide one-on-one support to crime victims throughout the trial procedures. Because of the sensitive nature of this work, it is important that the volunteer be an accepting, empathic listener. The volunteer will also assist in directing the crime victim to community resources available and appropriate, and may accompany the victim/witness in the courtroom. Volunteer candidates must apply to and be interviewed by the Volunteer Coordinator of the Victim/Witness Unit of the Office of the District Attorney. If accepted to this program, volunteers must complete the required training (approx16-20 hours) and successfully pass a background check.
Volunteers are expected to work a minimum of one weekday, from 8:30AM to 1:00PM, each month.
Ministry with Offenders
St. Dismas Mission
Individuals are needed to provide religious/spiritual programming to the members of St. Dismas Mission (an Episcopal congregation), located within the walls of SCI Graterford. Potential volunteers should be grounded in their faith, but comfortable with religious diversity. Personal integrity and an awareness and respect for boundaries are a must. The training requirement for this opportunity is two-fold. The prison facility requires additional training provided by Restorative Justice Ministries, ECS. Volunteers are expected to work a minimum of one Tuesday a month, between the hours of 12:30 p.m..—3:00 p.m. As an alternate, Tuesday morning hours may be possible.
Prisoner Visitation and Support (PVS)
PVS is a volunteer visitation program to Federal and Military prisoners throughout the U.S. They primarily focus on prisoners who do not ordinarily receive visits from family or friends, who are in solitary confinement, who request supportive human contact, and/or who are serving long sentences. Volunteers would be expected to visit prisoners in local federal prisons on a monthly basis. Training is required and provided by PVS. In addition, a volunteer is needed to represent the Diocese of Pennsylvania in board meetings, which are held twice a year. The meetings are generally four hours in length and provide general oversight and direction for the program.
Re-Entry
Mentoring ex-offenders and/or parolees is an effective way to contribute to public safety and live out the Gospel. Volunteer mentors will work with parolees or ex-offenders as part of a team effort to teach, guide, support, encourage, focus and otherwise assist with a successful re-entry into society. Mentors should have good listening skills, firm personal boundaries, compassionate hearts and common sense.
Volunteers will be trained and may require a criminal back ground check (though a prior record will not always disqualify one from participation in this program). Volunteers can expect to attend up to 16 hours of training and work at least 4 hours a month as part of a mentoring team.
Ministry in the Community
Police-Clergy Program
Community Clergy can promote healthy relationships with law enforcement in the community by riding with the *Philadelphia Police Department (in your district) for one hour each month. In addition, participants are asked to attend one roll call per month, in order to increase communication with the department. Training is required.
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