Volunteer Services
Volunteer workers enhance the service delivery capabilities of the Department of Justice Services (DJS) by offering direct, professional,
or support services to staff and customers. Community involvement in, therefore, is highly desirable. Individuals, interns, and
organizations may also apply to provide services, in the area of youth or adults. Service may be provided on an ongoing basis or
limited to one to two times per calendar year.
- Direct service volunteers have substantial direct one-on-one contact with juveniles or juveniles' families. The term includes, for example, tutors, mentors, and counselors. The term does not include persons who have only incidental contact with juveniles in the context of a group performance, service, party, etc.
- Professional service volunteer means a volunteer who provides any service for which the Commonwealth of Virginia requires a license or certification.
- Support service volunteer means a person who does clerical tasks or other support services that do not involve direct contact with juveniles or members of their family.
Basic requirements for volunteer service include the following:
- Age 18 and older
- Successful completion of an application process (interview, criminal background investigation, Child Protective Services Registry check, references, etc.) The results of these processes are kept confidential by the Coordinator of Volunteers
- Agency orientation and task-specific training, as necessary
- All Interns must present documentation and approval from their prospective Academic advisors prior to consideration for service engagements
In addition to the routine agency requirements governing the department's volunteer program, volunteers are required to have (or be
willing to acquire) skills that are appropriate for the volunteer duty they accept, possess effective verbal communication skills,
and have a willingness to comply with all applicable regulations, policies, and approved procedures.
Participation in Volunteer Services not only provides the community with an opportunity to affect what goes on in the community by modeling examples of responsible citizenship, it also is an opportunity to increase understandings of Justice Service functions and programs. DJS customers benefit from the relationship, as well. Customers gain exposure to a diverse group of well-meaning community members who are representative of different cultures, careers, disciplines, educational backgrounds, and socio-economic situations. They are challenged to reconsider their role as a part of the community.
Opportunities for volunteer service at the Administrative Office is generally available between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. This is true, as well, for community-based programs such as the Truancy & Diversion Center, Adult Probation and Parole. Volunteer hours at the Richmond Juvenile Detention Center vary depending upon one's assignment.
Types of volunteer services needed are listed in the following table. Listed also are suggestions for Cultural Enrichment in-kind donations/gifts. Monetary donations for cultural enrichment and recreational activities are also accepted and are tax deductible.
Direct Service
- Tutoring
- Mentoring
- Life skills facilitation
- Domestic violence workshops
- Job Readiness workshops
- Career exploration
- Parenting classes
- Special events such as concerts, step teams, and social events
- Arts instruction
- Dance instruction
- Music instruction
- Recreation and team sports
- Motivational presentations
- Musical programs
- Friendly visitors (for recreational activities)
- Support groups that address harmful habits and addictions, i.e., AA, NA, AL-Anon, etc.
- Seasonal or holiday volunteers
Professional Service
- Barbers
- Cosmetologist
- Hair Braider
- Certified Substance Abuse Counselors
- Psychologists
- Nurses
- Physicians
- Pastoral Counseling (Detention Center
Support Service
- Clerical support
- Grant-writing skills
- Curriculum development
- Research
- Volunteer Recruitment
- Desktop publishing
In-kind Service
- Basketballs
- Footballs
- Badminton set
- Racquetball set
- Table tennis
- Board games
- Piano
- Art supplies
- Crafts
- Drums
- DVD Players
- Movies (PG rated)
- Play Station games
- Cards
- Host a holiday activity (snacks, drinks, etc.)
- Stamps (for juvenile correspondence)
- Tickets to sporting activities
- Tickets to museums
- Performance fees for arts groups, i.e., dance, music, etc.
Keeping Citizens Informed!