Why volunteer?
98% of offenders will return to their respective communities.  When we volunteer and connect ex-offenders with community resources designed to support and encourage them, we send a message that we care about them and have a vested interest in their success, today and in the future.

There are approximately 1,200 inmates enrolled in the PLUS program on any given day.  Five hundred have graduated to-date.  The program is in sixteen different Indiana Department of Corrections facilities across the state of Indiana, and four more are scheduled to begin in 2008.

What are character-based teachings?
Honesty, respect, tolerance, responsibility, and compassion with others are values that participants will learn and integrate into their lives and relationships with others through the PLUS program.

What’s faith-based?
The PLUS program helps inmates tap into the sacred writings, teachings and values of their own religion in fellowship with others - all seeking a transformational experience.  If a PLUS participant has a preference of faith, the Department of Corrections will attempt to match him or her with a volunteer of the same faith. 

What do I do?
The PLUS volunteer establishes a dialogue with the participant by coming to the facility on a regular basis.  The DOC will equip you with the resources necessary to challenge the participant to go beyond surface issues and into the personal issues that demand attention.  The only way to do this is for the participant to become vulnerable and accountable to the volunteer.  The PLUS program is effective only when the participant learns to trust the volunteer.
You will be asked to attend one orientation session to tour the facility, hear a brief overview of the program, ask questions and enjoy a pizza dinner.  You do not have to sign-up at that time.  When you do choose to volunteer for the PLUS program, you will be asked to participate in a more in-depth training session to equip you with the tools you need to be successful.  A willing heart is the first tool; we’ll instruct you on the program and its topics after that.

The PLUS program topics:

• Developing a purposeful life plan
• Motivation
• Peer support
• Personal responsibility
• Employment skills and vocations
• Drug addiction and alcoholism treatment
• Responsibility to right the wrong (to victims, family, community, self)
• The role of spirituality and faith in life
• Transformational thinking
• Healthy relationships:  Family, marriage
• Parenting, community
• Responsible citizenship
• Basic life skills
• Respecting the religious beliefs and practices of others
• Developing an ethical/moral code
• Identifying and contributing to a healthy community
• Spiritual, character development and growth
• Enhanced substance abuse program (spiritual and secular)
• Community service
• Anger management

There is much more! Visit the Indiana Department of Correction web page to learn more about their groundbreaking efforts in faith-based and character-based initiatives.