Volunteer

At the Elkhart County Jail Ministry we believe that healing and growth are found in community. Jail Ministry volunteers experience community with people who so often find themselves on the margins. Relationships with incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals serve to transform and build up everyone involved.

The Jail Ministry is looking for volunteers! Inside the jail, there are a limited number of positions for volunteer Assistant Chaplains. While those positions are currently filled, they do come open from time to time. We also need volunteers for our Transportation Ministry to give rides home from jail when people are released and don’t have anyone to pick them up. Another way of helping is by donating new large print Bibles, yarn for the Program Ward, new sweatshirts/sweatpants, or backpacks of hygiene items (freedom bags) for people who are being released. Feel free to follow up with us for details about any of these ways of giving by calling 574-891-2279.

Volunteers are needed at the Work Release facility in Goshen to lead Bible Studies and other programs, help facilitate spiritual retreats, monitor the Jail Ministry computer lab, participate in an already existing class, and provide transportation for participants who have court appointments or employment interviews. Join Chaplain Martin on Sunday mornings for Holy Alliance, a community Bible Study started for men and women at Work Release. Attending is a great way to meet people and build relationships.

The Elkhart County Jail Ministry’s Reentry Housing program offers opportunities for people to help with maintenance and home repairs, as well as delivering care packages or meals to the men and women living in our reentry homes.

In addition to the above opportunities, there are many other ways to be involved. What are your ideas?

If you are interested in volunteering, please follow these steps:

  • Complete the volunteer application linked here: Volunteer Application
  • A Jail Ministry staff member will contact you after your application is reviewed.
  • Most of our volunteer positions require a criminal background check. We will email you the link when your application is approved. There is a fee for this background check. Please let us know if that is a barrier for you, and the Jail Ministry will pay for it.
  • Please review our Rules of Engagement