CoreCivic facilities welcome volunteers who make a positive impact on the lives of justice-involved individuals. Whether the volunteers are faith-based, educators, or creatives, they can help cultivate positive and long-term change in the lives of incarcerated people. 

Two volunteers recently shared their experiences while working with people inside CoreCivic facilities and the feedback they have received from those impacted by their volunteerism.

Joe Jenkins, The B.R.A.V.E. Effect

Joe Jenkins volunteers at CoreCivic's Trousdale Turner Correctional Center in Hartsville, Tennessee. He operates a nonprofit organization called The B.R.A.V.E. Effect, which works to support incarcerated individuals as they prepare for reentry and continues to support them upon release. His program and volunteer efforts teach residents how to shift their mindset from one of survival to one of strategy. This includes giving participants a Reentry Guide and one-on-one mentorship. 

Jenkins says volunteering at Trousdale Turner has given him a new sense of fellowship. Through his volunteer efforts, he is able to connect with the men on a personal level and guide them on a path to successful reentry. He also says it is a way to remind the men inside they are not forgotten. 

"Most of those men are looking for love whether they admit it or not," said Jenkins. "If you bring real love, you'll receive real love. If you bring what's real, they give you something real to take back with you. Most of the time I leave with tears in my eyes, because I came to give back, but I also receive."

Jenkins says volunteering in a facility is not for the faint of heart—there can be some challenging moments. But in the end, volunteers are making a life-changing and long-lasting difference in the lives of justice-involved individuals. Volunteers can build lasting relationships that help someone change their life for the better. Jenkins says when he goes into a facility, he looks forward to finding out who he can give hope to. 

"I'm looking forward to somebody telling me about their plans that they've written down. I'm looking forward to learning their goals and what they want to do, and how I can help them get there," said Jenkins. 

Jenkins' faith motivates him to continue his volunteer work.

"I'm an ex-drug dealer, and I ask God did you really bring me through all that just to do nonprofit work? But when I get stories from the men, when I get guys Facetiming me and showing me how they got their license back and how our team helped them along the way, I'm living my purpose,” he shared. “What more can you ask for?" 

Jenkins recently received a letter from a man he had worked with at Trousdale Turner. The man shared when he was released, Jenkins was one of his first calls, providing him the support, resources, and encouragement he needed to continue to move forward. The letter said in part:

Joe taught me with wisdom to be grateful for all I had, and to find the next good thing. Early on, I felt like my path was getting cut off. But Joe kept my head level and reminded me I didn't have to do it all in one day. Every time I met with Joe and B.R.A.V.E., I felt so loved and welcomed.

That's what Jenkins says volunteering is all about. 

"For the time I'm [in the facility], everyone is just human. It's not prisoners and volunteers. It's we're in this thing together, and let's walk together for a while. If you trust me, I'll leave you with something so you can prepare for where you're going,” said Jenkins. 

Alfonso Gilbert, Men of Valor

Alfonso Gilbert volunteers with Men of Valor at CoreCivic's Trousdale Turner Correctional Center in Hartsville, Tennessee, among other CoreCivic facilities. Men of Valor serves incarcerated and returning citizens through discipleship, reentry support and holistic care, building a brotherhood for those both inside and outside of facilities. 

When Gilbert volunteers, he helps facilitate discipleship group sessions and hosts seminars on childhood trauma and addiction recovery. He says one of his favorite parts of volunteering is the connections he is able to make and seeing the positive change first-hand.

"I love teaching them things that I've learned, not just from personal experience but from my academic journey," said Gilbert. "I really appreciate my experience in terms of building relationships with them."

Gilbert had a difficult childhood that included gang violence, drugs, and abuse. This experience helps him connect with incarcerated people and share his story of how he was able to leave that life behind through God. Now, he uses his life experience as well as resources from Men of Valor to provide hope and guidance. 

"The men have overwhelming gratitude for our consistent presence, let alone what we contribute to their life,” said Gilbert. “They really do appreciate us when we go in and teach seminars and classes on addiction or recovery, childhood trauma, or bible study."

Gilbert has been volunteering and providing prison ministry for five years. 

"It has really shifted my perspective, and I have a hard background," he said. "When you realize how much harder someone else has had it in life, it gives you perspective which contributes to gratitude and a better holistic view on life." 

For those considering volunteering in correctional facilities, Gilbert says his biggest piece of advice is to think about the difference one person has made in your life and then think about how you can be that one person for someone who is struggling. Volunteer efforts can help restore someone's purpose in life, restore their relationship with their families, or restore their sense of dignity and self-worth. 

If you are interested in volunteering at a CoreCivic facility, you can find more information about facilities near you by visiting CoreCivic.com/facilities.