Christmas Store: Donate children’s gifts for moms to “purchase” for their children. In our Christmas Store program, moms volunteer at area agencies and in return are given a spending allowance to use at our Christmas Store. Donating gifts for the moms to give their children provides these families dignity during their time of need. Consider donating gifts to the Christmas Store and give children with an incarcerated or just released family member a “normal” Christmas. Transportation volunteers are also needed to drive women to and from the participating agencies.
Mentoring Friends: Form a friendship with a young person. Children with an incarcerated parent need older adults to model good behavior and teach them how to be good citizens. Meet with a young person approximately once a week and make a difference in their lives.
Take Charge Program: Set out coffee, muffins, and fruit for women who come to this educational support group. The group meets Thursday mornings at Calvin CRC. Drivers are also needed for women without transportation
Horticultural Therapy: Provide support and encouragement to women in a residential drug and alcohol rehab program Wednesday mornings year-round from 9-10:30. We work in small groups, 2-3 clients to one volunteer. We work in our 70' X 40' garden during warm weather months and inside doing plant-related activities during colder months. We welcome new volunteers.
Hygiene Care Packages: Donate soap, toothpaste, shaving cream, shampoo, combs, etc. to adults staying in half-way houses. People newly released from prison do not have access to personal health-care items. Clients are so thankful to receive these gifts and half-way houses rely on us to provide them.
Correspondence to Prisoners: Write letters to an incarcerated adult. Prisoners who receive correspondence have something to look forward to in the days that stretch before them. Be a compassionate witness to their life story. Help them know the redemptive grace of God. Be a window to what’s happening in the outside world. All correspondence is routed through the Criminal Justice Chaplaincy for your protection.
Underwear Collection/Donation: Organize an underwear collection in your church, place of work, or other group setting. Participants can donate underwear in the sizes worn by their own family. This ensures that a wide variety of sizes are available for our clients. Underwear is not available for purchase at second hand stores, and because it is expensive, clients are often not able to purchase it for themselves.