Since 2005 JustDane has worked with over 9,000 residents returning to the community from prison and jail. Volunteers are a HUGE part of our program participants' success! We are currently recruiting volunteers for the programs listed below. Before you apply, please note that ALL JustDane volunteers are required to:

• Complete an application

• Fulfill volunteer orientation requirements (watch videos, complete survey, sign contract)

• Attend program-specific training

• Adhere to strict confidentiality rules regarding discussion of program participants

• Act and communicate in a professional, respectful, and positive manner that reflects the mission, vision, and values of JustDane

• Diligently set aside assumptions in order to best support others

JUST CONNECTIONS

CLICK HERE to apply!

Mentoring Connections Mentor

Mentoring Connections envisions a community in which every youth experiences a nurturing one-to-one relationship, which in turn allows each of them to develop their full potential to become responsible members of the community. Mentoring Connections matches youth impacted by parental incarceration with a caring, adult mentor. Mentor matches spend time with each other each week and develop a connection that can stick with both the youth and the volunteer for a lifetime.

Mentors are matched with one youth (between the ages of 4-17) and commit to meeting once a week for a year. Mentors must be at least 21 years old, have a vehicle, and pass a background and reference check.

Qualified applicants will have:

• Sincere desire to be personally involved with another person to help them achieve personal and educational goals

• Ability to communicate with youth and teenagers openly and non-judgmentally

• Strong listening skills

• Ability to establish a relationship based on equal responsibility and respect

• Interest in needs and concerns of persons with internal and external barriers to life skills

• Practical problem solving skills and ability to suggest options and alternatives

• Sensitivity to persons of diverse educational, economic, cultural or racial backgrounds

Drive to Succeed Mentor

The Drive to Succeed program is a partnership with Operation Fresh Start. This program provides participants with the support needed as they complete high school and earn their driver license. Mentors will be a positive influence and provide vital support to individuals who have not completed high school, are 16-21 years old, do not currently have a driver license and are involved in the criminal justice system.

Mentors are matched with one individual (between the ages of 16-24). Mentors must be at least 18 years old, have a vehicle, and pass a background and reference check.

Qualified applicants will have:

• Sincere desire to be personally involved with another person to help them achieve personal and educational goals

• Ability to communicate with young people openly and non-judgmentally

• Strong listening skills

• Ability to establish a relationship based on equal responsibility and respect

• Interest in needs and concerns of persons with internal and external barriers to life skills

• Practical problem solving skills and ability to suggest options and alternatives

• Sensitivity to persons of diverse educational, economic, cultural or racial backgrounds

***THE FOLLOWING VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES ON HOLD INDEFINITELY DUE TO COVID-19***

Family & Reading Connections

Family Connections provides opportunities to maintain and strengthen relationships within families affected by incarceration. This program keeps critical parent-child connections strong by organizing regular monthly visits between imprisoned mothers and their children. Family Connections goes to Taycheedah Correctional Institution the second Saturday of each month.

Reading Connections offers parents whose children reside too far away for regular visits, an opportunity to bond with their child and encourage their reading. Each month, volunteers go to Taycheedah Correctional Institution and Waupan Correctional Institution to collaborate with parents on this initiative. Parents are video recorded reading books to their children and the book, the recording, and a letter are mailed to the children and families.

Family and Reading Connections Trip Coordinator

Coordinate monthly trips to either Taycheedah or Waupun. This volunteer communicates directly with our point of contact at the prison(s), our volunteer teams, and reports directly to JustDane’s Volunteer & Community Engagement Coordinator.

The Family & Reading Connections Trip Coordinator must have access to email and consistently respond to emails within 1-2 business days.

This volunteer is not required to go on every trip.

Taycheedah trips are the 2nd Saturday of each month, 7am-2pm (transportation provided from Madison), and Waupun trips are the 3rd Wednesday of each month 11:45am-5pm (carpooled).

Volunteer Lunch Provider for Taycheedah Trips

Duties:

• Volunteers who sign up to be lunch providers coordinate with the Family & Reading Connections Trip Coordinator to provide food items for their designated trip date.

• Volunteers who sign up to be Lunch Providers do not necessarily go on the trips. Only volunteers who have gone through the Department of Corrections approval process will be able to go on the trips.

• Number of lunches needed will be communicated to the volunteer 5-7 days before the trip date. Numbers range from 5-15 lunches on average.

• Volunteers purchase food items on their own and make the lunches (Average cost ranges from $20-$40)

• Volunteers will track and report the amount of time spent purchasing items and coordinating for the trip, as well as report amount of money spent (to be considered as in-kind donations)

• Cooler is provided by JustDane

• Food items include: Gogurt, Breakfast bars (Nutrigrain, etc.), Juice boxes, Small water bottles, Sandwiches (turkey and cheese on wheat or white), Chips, Fruit or veggie item, Fruit snacks, Dessert item (cookie, brownie, etc.)

Volunteers Have/Are Able To:

• Purchase food items for the trip you sign up for

• Coordinate getting cooler from JustDane

• Deliver cooler of food to pick up site (East Madison) by 7am on trip date(s) you sign up for

• Communicate needs with Family & Reading Connections Trip Coordinator

MARKETING AND DEVELOPMENT

CLICK HERE to apply!

Event Planning and Fundraising Team

Our Event Planning and Fundraising team helps us throughout the year with our various events.

Annual events may include:

• Mentor Appreciation Event (January)

• Volunteer Appreciation Event (Spring)

• Partners for Change Luncheon (April)

• Youth Program BBQ (June)

• Healing House Silent Auction (Fall)

• Just Bakery Fundraiser (Fall)

• Youth Program Holiday Party (Dec)

Tasks for the Event Planning and Fundraising team vary, including securing donations, booking event space, recruiting and coordinating volunteers, raising money, etc, Each event varies and volunteers have the opportunity to choose which tasks they are most comfortable taking on based on skills, capacity, and qualifications.

Time commitment ranges per event.

On average, event timelines may require volunteers to commit to 3-6 months, serving 5-15 hours per month until the event.

Marketing and Social Media Intern

Responsibilities

• Work with the Development Director and the Development Team to create and implement campaigns

• Develop content calendars on a weekly and monthly basis for company brands

• Create engaging blog and social media content

• Assist in the general distribution of press releases and media alerts

• Provide support to our marketing team at live and online events

• Create event fliers for distribution

Skills

• 1 year+ experience in social media/marketing

• Excellent oral and written communication skills

• In-depth working knowledge of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube

BENEFITS APPLICATION PROGRAM

***VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES ON HOLD INDEFINITELY DUE TO COVID-19***

CLICK HERE to apply!

The Benefits Application Program (BAP) provides an opportunity for eligible individuals from the general public, those on parole or probation, or those in a Dane County minimum security jail facility, to apply for public benefits and receive referrals to community organizations. The program operates at three sites: Dane County Job Center, Community Corrections, and the Ferris Center Jail Facility.

Each month, volunteers work with individuals at one of these 3 sites to assist them in applying for public benefits (e.g. BadgerCare+ and FoodShare) and to provide them with referrals to community organizations. Receiving public benefits is critical in ensuring that eligible individuals can fully participate in life, fulfill their potential, and contribute to their communities.

Benefits Enrollment Specialist

Qualifications:

• 18 years of age

• Computer skills

• Strong interviewing and listening skills

• Ability to communicate with adults in a non-judgmental way

• Sensitivity to persons of diverse educational, economic, cultural, and racial backgrounds

• Ferris Center volunteers must complete the Dane County Jail Access Application and jail orientation

• Ferris Center and Community Corrections volunteers must complete additional background check requirements

Responsibilities:

• Complete 4-5 hours of content training, site training, and at least two shadowing shifts, over the course of the first 2-4 weeks

• Commit to serve a minimum of twelve months at one of the three work settings

• Interview clients and sign them up for public benefits at least once monthly during a 2-3 hour work session

  • Ferris Center, 2120 Rimrock Rd (Monday evening, 7:00-9:00pm)

  • Dane Co. Job Center, 1819 Aberg Ave (W, Th, F: morning or afternoon)

  • Community Corrections, 7017 Raywood Rd (F mornings, 9:30-11:30am)

• Complete client interview and referral forms

• Communicate with BAP volunteer coordinator about questions and concerns

• Work with other volunteers when necessary

• Participate in continuing education and training as necessary