The Gift of Time
Visitor Advocate Training Fall 2022
We just completed our Fall 2022 Visitor Advocate Training course. This is a six-week preparation program for volunteers who have the desire to go into the jail and meet one on one with an incarcerated person at the Justice Center once per week. We had an excellent training, with guest speakers including Jimmie Dillard, outstanding criminal defense attorney Ed Klein, and Visitor Advocate and Houses of Healing Instructor Geneva Fortune. A huge thank you to our instructors, speakers, and the 2022 Visitor Advocate training class.
Mary Allen
Robert Bellandi
Bette Baum
Aaron Chancy
Henry Dotterer
Mary Lee Faucher
James Gavigan
Craig Gostin
Kevin Lee
Kristin Losier
Dan Netti
Kimberly Reed
Sara Rutter
Interested in becoming a Visitor Advocate?
Watch our Facebook page for news of upcoming trainings! Training is usually for 6 weeks, once per week, on Mondays from 6-8pm at Park Central Presbyterian Church. Once completed, there is a fingerprinting requirement as well as a one time Orientation at the jail. When you start going into the jail, you would be paired with an experienced visitor who would mentor you until you are ready to visit on your own.
Jail Ministry Volunteer Ongoing Needs
Need: Office Support, Phone Calls
Description: The main responsibilities are answering calls from folks in the jail and assisting with their requests as well as preparing orders from requests. We are considering adding more hours to receive calls (currently M-Th 9-12, would like to add 1-2:30pm if we can get enough volunteers). We need additional help for both mornings and afternoons. Training is provided.
Commitment: Once/week (2-4 hours)
Training: Basic instruction and additional support as needed
Location: Jail Ministry offices in Park Central Presbyterian Church
Contact Person: Keith
Need: Letter Writing
Description: Send a biweekly flyer (provided) with note and optional letter to residents in the jail.
Commitment: Once every two weeks (~30 minutes)
Training: Basic instruction and additional support as needed
Location: Remote
Contact Person: Keith
Need: Bottle Return
Description: The jail offers us the empty bottles each week to pick up and return to a bottle return redemption center. The money goes toward our operating expenses. Ideally you would want a pickup truck or van.
Commitment: Once per week (~1 hour)
Training: Basic instruction and additional support as needed
Location: Onondaga County Justice Center, Bottle redemption center
Contact Person: Keith
Need: Quarterly Newsletter Contributions
Description: We are always looking for people to write articles about jail, bail, social justice, and other related topics for our newsletter.
Commitment: Once per week (~1 hour)
Training: Basic instruction and additional support as needed
Location: Remote
Contact Person: Keith