Sharing Volunteer Stories
I volunteer with an organization in Delaware County that trains volunteers to teach decision-making skills to inmates in the prisons in the county: George W. Hill Correctional Institution (county prison), SCI-Chester (state prison),Juvenile Detention Center in Lima. We have been teaching in the prisons since 1975.
Volunteers go into the prison for Thresholds and work one-on-one teaching a six-step decision-making model to the inmates. We use a workbook and spend 7 weeks to teach the model. We also during the 7 weeks have a group session each week, taught by different teachers but giving the same basic six step model. At the end of the 7 weeks if an inmate has completed the course they get a certificate that the judges recognize as an accomplishment.
I have been doing this since 1989 and I love it. Teaching this program to inmates or training new volunteers is exciting and rewarding. Thresholds is a great program but it’s not for everyone. Just like any volunteer opportunity you choose what you would like to do. Most people do not choose to go into a prison.
We have many retirees in our program but we also have younger people as well. It works really well for retirees though since you can come to the prison during the day to teach.
Fran Cooke
As a volunteer participating in the Thresholds program in Delaware County Prison, I would appreciate more publicity being given to this program which holds so many benefits for both women and men. More volunteers are needed. Any help you can provide will be appreciated.
Thank you!
Sister Mary George O'Reilly SHCJ
Hi,
I will be giving time weekly to the Philadelphia Zoo which receives no funds from the city and my local animal shelter. In addition, I volunteer at Manna, a wonderful organization that provides meals for those in this area suffering from chronic illness.
Rhona Atkinson