Community Connections brings the community to incarcerated individuals in order to promote successful re-entry through support, education and resources that provide opportunities for personal growth and healthy family relationships.

Description:
Community Connections is an all-volunteer organization providing direct services to male inmates at Oakhill Correctional Institution (OCI) in Oregon, WI. Community Connections’ volunteers facilitate and develop programs in order to help men grow as individuals, family members and citizens during their incarceration. This includes providing men with support, education, information, and knowledge of community resources through formal and informal methods.

All participation in the programs is voluntary. Most men are drawn to Community Connections’ programs through their desire to remain connected or to re-connect with their families. Other men view our programs as a chance for individual growth and education.

We can't provide a salary, but we will provide flexibility. There is a way for anyone, yes anyone, to help. Work at the facility or from your own home. Work on your own schedule or let us make one for you. Work for one day or a lifetime. Hone your specific skill or simply enjoy yourself. Be proactive. Be creative. Be appreciated.

Take your Pick.

On-site Opportunities

Visiting Room Leader

The visiting room is the location where inmates interact with their families while they are at the institution. Make the most out of the visit by providing a great environment for the fathers to interact with their children. Design and facilitate activities that would enhance the experience for both the men and the kids. Use your creativity to create good memories for these families.

Parenting Educators

We need professionals or interns to help facilitate formal and informal parenting education classes. Help develop programs that would teach the men how to be better parents. Staff the Family Center and offer informal parenting education and re-entry support.

Program Volunteer

Community Connections has a number of established programs including Read-To-Me, where the men are videotaped reading a book which is sent to their children. Help with recording the men, and sending the tapes to the kids.

Parenting Educators

We need professionals or interns to help facilitate formal and informal parenting education classes. Help develop programs that would teach the men how to be better parents.

Off-site Opportunities

Translator

¿Hablas español? English is a second language for many of the men and their families. Make our website and resources more valuable by translating them into Spanish. You can even do it at home.

Website Updater

Although our website has already been made, it needs maintenance. Use your web skills to keep our site current.

Fundraiser

Gain experience in grant writing by searching for grant opportunities and writing the grants. If you don’t have experience in grants, plan fundraising events that raise money for Community Connections.

Journalist

Be the editor-in-chief of the first Community Connections newsletter. Solicit articles written by the inmates, volunteer, or prison staff to keep everyone up to date on what the organization is doing.

Accountant

Get some real experience in accounting by handling all Community Connection’s finances. Present financial documents at the quarterly advisory board meetings.

Law Student or Professional

Write easy-to-read pamphlets explaining appeals process, child support modification, parenting rights, civil rights, other legal rights/matters of importance to incarcerated individuals. File 501 c-3 status for Community Connections. Re-write pro-se instruction booklets on child support and divorce.

Graphic Designer

Create graphics to complement our website, professional documents, PowerPoint slides, display boards, and advertisements.

Party Planner

Organize four parties a year for the inmates and their families. Be creative with themes and music that facilitate positive family relationships.

Other

Develop activities for the men and their families. Seek donations of books and toys from other organizations. We are open to any suggestions.

History:
Community Connections was established in the fall of 2002 to satisfy the various unmet needs of the male inmates at Oakhill Correctional Institution (OCI) in Oregon, WI. Our volunteers have continuously created additional programs based on the endless need that we see within the institution. Parenting classes, visiting room activities, CPR certification, film groups, lecture series, re-entry preparation courses, employment trainings, and family parties are just some of the ongoing opportunities that our dedicated volunteers have created and facilitated since we began our journey within the world of corrections.

Contact person: Sarah Quinn, (email)

Address:

5212 County Hwy M Oregon, WI 53575 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.communityconnectionswi.org

Directions:

Oakhill Correctional Institution is located on County Hwy M near the Village of Oregon. From Madison, take Park Street south of the beltline (becomes 14E). Take the 2nd exit off of 14 E, Hwy. MM Oregon. Right. . . (more)

Miscellaneous Information

Will you be using VolunteerYourTime.org for Donation Match ONLY?
	No