Volunteer in Bridgeport, Connecticut at Community Resources For Justice, Inc.

Community Resources for Justice (CRJ) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to changing lives and strengthening communities through direct service, advocacy, and innovation. We operate across four core service lines:

• Community Strategies (CS): Supporting adults with developmental disabilities to live independently and thrive in their communities. Providing a range of top-quality residential and non-residential programs for men and women with intellectual or developmental disabilities in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Our programs offer individual and group treatment and are geared toward promoting independence and improving life skills. Clients also receive support with job development, on-the-job coaching, and educational opportunities.
• Reentry Services (RS): Supporting people leaving incarceration to make positive, sustainable life transitions. We firmly believe that change is possible and attainable for all that we serve. With a strict focus on outcomes, the Reentry Services Division is committed to delivering contemporary and evidence-based services to the individuals in our care. Through delivering innovative programming and collaborating with community agencies, we provide hope and support to our clients as they make safe and successful transitions into their communities.
• Crime & Justice Institute (CJI): Driving bold, transformative improvements in adult and youth justice systems by working with working with local, state, and national criminal justice organizations to improve public safety and the delivery of justice. The CJI team brings decades of experience developing evidence-based, data-driven policies, managing complex processes with diverse stakeholders, and driving systems-level organizational change. Our energetic staff and network of consultants come from a variety of backgrounds.
• Family Reentry (FRE): At Family Reentry, we address the often-intertwining problems of behavioral health, domestic violence, reentry, recidivism, and risks to youth by offering evidence-based interventions to provide support and effect positive change. We offer a holistic approach by working to connect clients to basic needs and offering support to create change and increase stronger coping and life skills.

CRJ is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity in all its forms and encourage candidates of all backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences to apply.

Ready to make a difference? Apply today and be part of the change!

About the role

Volunteers at the Family Reentry Recovery Community Center play an important role in creating a welcoming, safe, and supportive environment for individuals and families impacted by substance use, mental health challenges, homelessness, incarceration, and reentry. The Volunteer role supports daily center operations, groups, activities, outreach, community events, donations, and member engagement while promoting a positive recovery-focused community. Volunteers are expected to treat all members, staff, guests, and community partners with dignity, respect, and compassion.

This is a peer-supportive, non-clinical Volunteer role and does not include clinical counseling, formal case management, legal advice, financial advice, or medical guidance. Our focus is on peer and community support and the non-clinical services of the Recovery Community Center.

What you'll do

Member Engagement and Support

· Welcome members and visitors to the center in a respectful and friendly manner.

· Help create a safe, recovery-friendly, trauma-informed, and judgment-free environment.

· Offer support, encouragement, and positive conversation when appropriate.

· Assist members with basic center information, schedules, activities, and available resources.

· Help members feel included and connected to the recovery community.

Daily Center Support

· Support sign-in procedures, attendance tracking, volunteer-hour tracking, and basic administrative tasks when assigned.

· Assist with organizing flyers, supplies, donations, clothing, food, hygiene items, and resource materials.

· Help ensure the center remains clean, organized, and welcoming.

Group and Activity Support

· Assist with All Recovery meetings, workshops, wellness activities, community events, outreach efforts, and approved donation drives.

· Help prepare materials for groups, events, and activities.

· Support staff or approved facilitators during programming.

Outreach and Community Events

· Represent the Family Reentry Recovery Community Center in a professional and respectful manner.

· Help promote recovery, reentry support, community connection, and approved outreach or donation efforts when assigned by staff

Outreach and Community Events

· Represent the Family Reentry Recovery Community Center in a professional and respectful manner.

· Help promote recovery, reentry support, community connection, and approved outreach or donation efforts when assigned by staff

Volunteer Expectations

· Be reliable and arrive on time for scheduled Volunteer hours.

· Notify the Volunteer Coordinator, Program Manager, or assigned staff member in advance if unable to attend a scheduled shift.

· Conduct yourself respectfully and professionally and accurately record Volunteer hours as required.

· Maintain confidentiality at all times.

· Follow all Recovery Community Center policies and procedures.

· Participate in orientation, training, and supervision as required.

· Promote an inclusive environment for people of all recovery pathways, backgrounds, cultures, identities, and experiences.

· There is NO use of alcohol, drugs, or other impairing substances before or during Volunteer service.

Qualifications

Volunteer eligibility and qualifications include:

· Must have been an active member of the Family Reentry Recovery Community Center for at least 30 days before beginning Volunteer service.

· Must be actively working on their own recovery plan with their designated Recovery Coach and remain engaged in that recovery plan while serving as a Volunteer.

· A commitment to recovery, reentry support, community service, and helping others.

· Ability to communicate respectfully with diverse individuals.

· Willingness to work as part of a team.

· Dependability, honesty, and a positive attitude.

· Ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriate boundaries.