Justice Services Volunteer Program | Saint Louis County *DIRECT*

Volunteers and Volunteer Coordinator Richard Bruenderman

Justice Services is fortunate to have a strong Volunteer Program.? Many concerned citizens from the community willingly donate their time and expertise to help the inmate population of St. Louis County.? They put into action the belief that each person has personal dignity with the ability to change his/her life.? The volunteers provide a vital link to community resources and have brought hope to many lives that otherwise saw no future.

Volunteers play an invaluable role within the Department of Justice Services.? They are able to connect with the inmates in ways that Correctional Staff cannot.? They teach classes such as, Becoming All You Can Be, Stress Management, New Directions to Success, Fathering, Career Development, Creative Writing, Leadership, Dance Fitness, How To Succeed On the Streets, Anger Management, and Makin? It Work.

Volunteers make our existing programs stronger. Dedicated volunteer educational tutors assist with the G.E.D. and ESL (English as a Second Language) programs to ensure the inmates have a better chance of passing the G.E.D. test.? These volunteers are provided by the ParkwaySchool District, St. Vincent DePaul Criminal Justice Ministry and the Literacy Council.? The SpecialSchool District also provides teachers that educate individuals with learning disabilities.

The Choices Program receives a major boost from volunteers who conduct Alcoholic Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous and Cocaine Anonymous meetings.? They also teach Stress Management, Breaking Barriers, Career Development, Women?s Issues, Arts & Crafts and Dance Fitness to the Choices participants.

Volunteer Luncheon

Currently there are 350 volunteers conducting a variety of services totaling of 11,255 hours this past year.? In the course of a week, 72 scheduled chapel services that encompass a wide variety of denominations are offered to the inmates on four floor units.? Total volunteer hours over the past year included:

• 2,374? hours of educational classes
• 940? hours of substance abuse recovery
• 1,060? hours of one-on-one visiting
• 7,307? hours of religious services.

In addition to these community volunteer classes, practicum students from University of Missouri- St. Louis conducted health classes for the men and women.? As in past years, special events supplemented the regular programs.? Let?s Start sponsored a play, ?Stories of Hope.? The Central Presbyterian? also presented a Christmas Concert for the women.

Several groups provided Christmas gifts for the children of inmates.? Mission Gate Prison Ministry and Friendly Temple Missionary Baptist provided gifts for over 350 children of 150 inmates. Black Jack Baptist Church also donated 75 care packages for indigent inmates. The Central Presbyterian Church presented a Christmas Program to The Justice Center population.

If you are interested in volunteer opportunities with Justice Services, please contact Richard Bruenderman, DJS Volunteer Coordinator at 314-615-5722 or email him at?Rbruenderman@stlouisco.com

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??to return inmates to the community

who have been given the opportunity to

improve their behavior and lifestyle.?

-From-Justice Services? Mission Statements

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Source: http://stlouisco.me/2013/04/02/justice-services-volunteer-program/

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