In-person interactions with our volunteers provide our people with hope and increased self-confidence, supporting them to transform attitudes and successfully return to the community upon release. But we often hear that our volunteers receive a lot more than they give. Breakthrough volunteers experience tremendous growth as they develop empathy for an overlooked and stigmatized population. Perhaps best of all, they often become advocates who help shift societal perceptions to build stronger communities and open doors to future opportunities.
In Person Volunteering
We have a ton of volunteer opportunities! In-prison volunteer opportunities include coaching our people at our milestone events and in-classroom coaching sessions to provide additional content and feedback. We currently run our programming inside four facilities here in Colorado: La Vista Correctional Facility, Arkansas Valley Correctional Facility, Colorado State Penitentiary, and Centennial Correctional Facility.
Corporate Volunteering
Breakthrough works with businesses to engage them in our in-prison volunteer opportunities to leverage their experience and work with our program participants on milestone event days. It’s also a unique opportunity for businesses to help shift the narrative and work towards eliminating barriers to employment for individuals with criminal histories. If you are interested in corporate volunteer opportunities, reach out at the button below.
Signing up as a volunteer is a multi-step process due to the information we must submit to the Colorado Department of Corrections to allow volunteers to enter the facilities. You can begin your volunteering experience at any point of ‘The Challenge’ and 'The Pathway' programs. Please ensure that you complete both the volunteer sign up as well as the event registration, otherwise your registration will not be complete.
- Fill out the Volunteer Registration form
- Register for the event you’d like to volunteer at via Bloomerang Volunteer
- Review our Volunteer Resources to know what to expect
Breakthrough strives for consistent communication leading up to each volunteer event. Please keep an eye out for text reminders and email messages from our team which will include directions to the event, expectations, rules, and other important information. We offer the ability to sign up for carpooling opportunities with other volunteers, which will also be included in the communication leading up to the event.
Show up! We plan our events and volunteers intricately to ensure the best experience for the program participants. We rely on the volunteer registrations to be accurate based on the number of people we have participating. Please block off your day to volunteer and arrive on time so we can give the most helpful experience possible.
Lower your walls and engage with participants at the event. Our participants are excited to talk with volunteers, ask questions, and connect with individuals on the “outside.” Prison can be an isolating place, and our volunteers provide our participants with an opportunity to expand their world, even if just for a day! We implore you to prepare by reviewing all of the information that is emailed to you before the event, but we also start the day off at the facility with a volunteer briefing that includes an overview of the day and what you need to know before you go in to meet the participants.
Join our growing community of volunteers at Breakthrough and make a real impact! Whether you’re a coach, business leader, or friend, your skills can help transform lives. By mentoring our program participants, you’ll not only support their journey back to the community but also experience personal growth and become an advocate for change. We have numerous in-prison volunteer opportunities at facilities across Colorado—sign up today and be part of something bigger!
Where are the volunteer opportunities located?
- Breakthrough currently runs our programming inside five prisons here in Colorado:
- Arkansas Valley Correctional Facility (AVCF) in Ordway, CO
- La Vista Correctional Facility (LVCF) in Pueblo, CO
- Centennial Correctional Facility (CCF) in Canon City, CO
- Colorado State Penitentiary (CSP) in Canon City, CO
- Skyline Correctional Center (SCC) in Canon City, CO
- We do host a monthly volunteer event, Volunteer Vibes, the last Thursday of every month where anyone interested in volunteering can come learn more! Check the Events calendar for specific information for Volunteer Vibes.
Do they run a background check on me before I volunteer?
Yes, the Colorado Department of Corrections is responsible for running background checks on all volunteers that will be entering their facilities. Because of this, please ensure that your drivers license information is correct on your volunteer forms!
Can I volunteer if I have a criminal background?
Yes, however, you must be off probation/parole/supervised release for two-years before you can enter facilities as a volunteer. Additionally, specific criminal charges are not permitted to enter the facilities. Please reach out to volunteer@timetobreakthrough.org with specific questions related to volunteering with a criminal background.
What is expected of me when I volunteer?
- It depends on the event you are attending, but overall, just show up and be yourself! Our volunteers are our “secret sauce” in helping our participants become the best versions of themselves, and we are so grateful for the time and effort they take to spend the entire day with our participants. We have three opportunities to volunteer at each facility that we work in:
- Our first milestone event is Mock Interview Day, where you will provide coaching and feedback to our participants on their resumes, cover letters, and Breakthrough statements. Breakthrough statements are statements unique to our participant that help them explain their criminal conviction to a potential employer.
- The second milestone event isBusiness Pitch Bootcamp. At this event, you will help our participants make their Business Pitch the best it can be! You will provide feedback on their business pitch ideas through coaching sessions, then hear business pitches for all of the participants. Volunteers will vote on the top five most marketable and feasible business ideas to move on to the final competition.
- At the final event, Graduation & Business Pitch Bootcamp, you will hear the final business pitches from the top five businesses, and vote on the winning idea! After that, you will be an esteemed guest at the Graduation ceremony, celebrating our participants on their hard work and completion of ‘The Challenge’ alongside their family members.
What should I bring with me when I volunteer?
Breakthrough will provide all of the materials that you need for the day, as well as lunch. If you have special dietary restrictions, you are permitted to bring your own lunch. When you arrive at the facility, you may only bring inside your ID and car keys. Please leave your cell phone, smart watches, wallets, purses, etc., locked in your car.
Should I be concerned about interacting with incarcerated people?
It’s natural to have some concerns or nerves about interacting with incarcerated individuals, but it’s important to understand the incredible impact you can have on their lives. Many incarcerated individuals are eager for opportunities to learn, grow, and change. Your involvement can provide them with the tools, skills, and hope needed to be the best version of themselves! Volunteering with Breakthrough can be a profoundly rewarding experience.