-
35 people are interested
Building Bridges Pen Pal Program
ORGANIZATION: ADVANCING REAL CHANGE INC
Please visit the new page to apply.
-
35 people are interested
The purpose of this pen pal program is to develop a relationship with someone on the inside of the prison walls. This is a long-term commitment. Some of our clients have been incarcerated for many years and might have many more years on their sentences. The continuity of a pen pal is a form of stability in their support systems.
Becoming a pen pal is to become a friend to those experiencing extreme isolation during long-term incarceration. We know that regular, positive communication is often the key to the mental wellbeing of our clients.
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, our clients are facing an even increased amount of isolation. Prisons are some of the hardest hit areas in the pandemic, and therefore we are hoping to connect our clients with pen pals to make this experience somewhat more tolerable.
***It is expected that becoming a pen pal is not a short-term commitment during the pandemic, but rather to continue on long after.
More opportunities with ADVANCING REAL CHANGE INC
No additional volunteer opportunities at this time.
About ADVANCING REAL CHANGE INC
Location:
309 N CHARLES ST 3RD FLOOR, BALTIMORE, MD 21201, US
Mission Statement
ARC, Inc. seeks to transform the U.S. criminal justice system by providing comprehensive and accurate life history investigation to decision-makers in order to inform the fates of individuals facing the most severe penalties.
Description
Advancing Real Change, Inc. was founded to respond to the trend in the criminal justice system toward increasingly retributive sentencing - sentencing that seeks, above all, to punish the accused to the maximum degree possible. Lost in this process are the actual people. Those who face criminal charges in our court systems confront tremendous dehumanization, presented as nothing more than their crimes. Sadly, this is true even when the defendants are children. These are the circumstances that ARC, Inc. seeks to change by providing comprehensive, accurate life history investigation in the cases where it is needed most.
Our clients are those who are facing the full weight of the government's power and its ability to take life - the imposition of the death penalty and life without the possibility for parole - and often come from the most challenging circumstances. We prioritize working on cases where the need is the greatest, and we work with indigent clients throughout the nation.
CAUSE AREAS
WHEN
WHERE
This is a Virtual Opportunity with no fixed address.
DATE POSTED
April 16, 2020
SKILLS
GOOD FOR
N/A
REQUIREMENTS
- Must be at least 22
- Orientation or Training
- This is not a huge time commitment. You would be expected to write one letter every few weeks. What is important is the consistency of writing your pen pal, especially after the pandemic ends.
- You must fill out a short application. If you are interested in being a pen pal in the Building Bridges program, you are asked to email Anna Reganis at aar@advancechange.org and she will send you the application as well as a one-pager with more info.