Volunteer Program
Volunteers come from every walk of life and every profession is welcomed. Many of our volunteers are retired and want to do something to help troubled youth turn their lives around. Volunteers can help our youth develop healthy lifestyles, coping skills, and a concept of self-worth through example and positive role modeling. The Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections (ADJC) offers a variety of volunteer programs for those interested in becoming an ADJC Volunteer. Some of the most popular programs include:
Adopt a Cottage
- Volunteers interact with youth in a particular housing unit by providing productive leisure activities, recognizing birthdays, and special holidays.
Education Tutor
- Education tutors work with youth on a variety of subject matter areas, particularly reading, writing and comprehensive skills. Volunteers enhance the regular school progress and may work with youth on individual or group basis. Volunteers are required to have a background in teaching or tutoring in a specific subject matter area. All volunteers are supervised by education staff.
One-on-One Mentoring
- Volunteers mentor children who are without families or children with families that for various reasons are unable to visit.
Religious Volunteer
- Religious volunteers assist in providing youth with religious visits between an accredited minister or a religious leader. Religious activity and counseling is provided for all faiths as well as group services, meetings, study groups, and other group gatherings or activities for appropriate religious purposes. Individuals must be accredited through their faith judicatory and approved and supervised by a department Institutional Chaplain.
Special Interest Groups
- Volunteers provide youth with regularly scheduled interactions with established and recognized groups and organizations that represent community involvement, such as Boy Scouts.
Volunteer Guidelines
The following requirements are necessary to become a volunteer:
- Must be 18 years of age.
- Must have completed and cleared a formal background check, including fingerprinting, before interacting with any youth on a regular and direct basis.
- Must attend orientation and training prior to entering a secure care facility.
- Will respect the function of department staff and contribute fully to maintaining a professional relationship with staff.
- Will carry out assignments in a professional manner and seek the assistance of the coordinator or immediate supervisor when necessary.
- Will respect and accept the department's right to dismiss any volunteer for such reasons as poor performance, poor attendance, unwillingness to accept direction, etc.
- Appropriate dress attire is required.
- Additional security issues will be discussed in training.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer with the Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator for more information.
