Criminal Justice

CENTER FOR COMMUNITY JUSTICE (Elkhart, IN)

Phone: (574) 295-6149

Background: The mission of the Center for Community Justice is to promote and operate effective community-based services for victims, offenders, and the community. These services strengthen community safety, provide support and compensation for victims, aid restoration of offenders and promote reconciliation among victims, offenders, and the community. We are a non-profit agency with 20 employees working in seven different programs--each focused on Restorative Justice.

Volunteers: Volunteers are needed for a number of the Center's programs. Please call for more information.

DISMAS HOUSE

Phone: (574) 233-8522

Website: www.dismassouthbend.org

Background: Dismas House was founded in 1985 by people from the community in partnership with Notre Dame students and staff to create a community to assist ex-prisoners and college students in making a smooth transition into the community. University/college students and former prisoners share in a common, supportive living situation. The house, located approximately ten minutes from campus, accommodates 16 residents and provides a co-ed housing opportunity. All residents pay a monthly fee that includes room and board. The mission of Dismas House is to reconcile former affenders to society and society to former defenders through the development of a supportive community.

Volunteers: Volunteers are needed to cook for the residents on week nights. Students are also needed to live at Dismas. Most students commit themselves to living at Dismas House for one semester. Residents are required to eat dinner at the house five nights per week, do one chore per week and wash dishes approximately once a week. Volunteers also needed to teach basic computer skills and GED tutoring.

LEGAL SERVICES PROGRAM OF NORTHERN INDIANA, INC.

Phone: (574) 234-8121

Background: The Legal Services Program of Northern Indiana is a private, nonprofit corporation founded by private attorneys and interested community leaders in 1953. It now provides free legal representation to low-income individuals in 24 northern Indiana counties. Legal Services assists people who cannot afford a private attorney with legal problems in areas such as housing, public benefits, consumer, health, and family law.

Volunteers: Student volunteers usually serve as an Intake Worker. The person is responsible for: Obtaining accurate statistical and financial information from clients who telephone or come to the office for assistance, obtaining accurate information about the client's problem, and writing a detailed narrative for attorney review. It also includes completing necessary forms and cards for each client, and, when experienced, completing a second "full" interview with eligible clients.

PARKVIEW JUVENILE CENTER

Phone: (574) 235-5437

Background: The St. Joseph County Juvenile Probation Department has been providing support services to youth since October 1981. Volunteers Improving Parkview (V.I.P.) programs offer opportunities to over 50 volunteers annually who dedicate their time and talent to the youth of our community. The purpose of Parkview Juvenile Center is to ensure public safety and provide appropriate intervention for youth under the age of 18. The Parkview Juvenile Center consists of three components: Probation, Detention, and Support Services. The St. Joseph County Probate Court oversees all three. The V.I.P. Programs link community volunteers with youth in need of support services. To enable clients to become contributing members of society, they offer counseling, education, assistance in preparing for and finding employment, and other opportunities for community building.

Volunteers: Parkview provides many different programs and volunteers are welcome. Please call for more information.

SEX OFFENSE SERVICES (SOS) at MADISON CENTER

Phone: (574) 283-1308

Website: www.madison.org/index.php?MenuID=19

Background: The Sex Offense Services (SOS) program at Madison Center provides services to victims of sexual assault and their families, and acts as a community resource to increase public awareness.

Volunteers: Volunteers answer the 24-hour helpline, make prevention program presentations, and a few co-facilitate support groups. Volunteers give a minimum of 6 hours a week. Each volunteer receives 33 hours of training spread over 11 sessions of 3 hours each Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Training covers issues of sexuality, abuse, rape, and harassment, looks at the legal and medical aspects of sex offense, teaches crisis intervention skills with a lot of role-playing and lots of interaction, as well as providing training on specific programs. We train volunteers to provide crisis intervention and emotional support to victims of rape, incest, child molestation, sexual harassment, obscene phone calls, and indecent exposure.