Volunteers needed to work with previously incarcerated individuals

Posted Friday, January 24, 2020 1:51 pm

BRATTLEBORO — Want to make a direct impact on the lives of individuals in the community? The Brattleboro Community Justice Center and Bellows Falls Justice Center are looking for volunteers.

Vermont's Community Justice Center COSA (circle of support and accountability) programs work with individuals released from incarceration after serving time for felony convictions in Vermont. Serving on a COSA team involves meeting weekly with one individual recently released from prison, with two or three trained volunteers and the reentry coordinator to build relationships, support and accountability with the individual.

People who participate in COSA groups meet for a year to help with the transition back into the community for individuals who have been in prison for many years. Those who participate in COSAs have a 27 percent lower rate of recidivism. The relationships formed in a COSA help guide individuals towards healthier choices and opportunities.

Trainings are provided and people of all backgrounds are welcome. Volunteers range from college students and retired professors to pastors, daycare workers, artists, writers, and more. Organizers are particularly seeking individuals who identify as people of color, from the LGBT community, or in recovery, but all interested people are encouraged to contact reentry coordinator Michelle Bos-Lun at michelle@brattleborocjc.org or 802 221-4107. Both centers have waiting lists for COSA participants, so each volunteer is welcome to serve in one or more circles.

To become a COSA volunteer, prospective volunteers need to take two trainings: a 90 minute Department of Corrections policy training, being held at the Brattleboro CJC on Feb. 19 at 4 p.m., and March 11 at 6:45 p.m. at the Greater Falls CJC in Bellows Falls. A COSA training is also required. The two day training is being offered Feb. 7 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. and Feb. 8 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in Springfield, and in Brattleboro on March 20 and 21.

Contact Michelle at the Brattleboro Office to find out more about these possibilities.