Working together (Partners & Allies)
Volunteer opportunities beyond UUPMI
ADVOCACY
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IL Network for Pretrial Justice
As part of this member coalition, we continue to defend the wins of the Pretrial Fairness Act passed January 2021. To learn more about the Network, go to their website. Fully Free is a campaign to end permanent punishment in Illinois, where there are nearly 1,200 laws that continue to punish people after they have been released from prison. As an organization that cares about the vulnerable time of reentry, we support the work of this organization and encourage you to attend local events with Fully Free!
Unitarian Universalist Advocacy Network of Illinois
UUANI is a network of Unitarian Universalists in congregations across Illinois working to strengthen the movement for justice, beloved community and a healthy planet through relational, intersectional, values-based organizing; accountable partnerships of solidarity; and strategically effective advocacy. We partner closely with UU and other organizations for congregational empowerment, collaboration and action. |
BOOKS
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Project NIA – has a volunteer program to get books to children incarcerated in Illinois Youth Prisons. Contact projectnia@hotmail.com. Liberation Library provides books to youth in prison to encourage imagination, self-determination and connection to the outside world.
Chicago Books to Women in Prison – Volunteer collective that distributes books free of charge to women in prison nationwide. You can help by giving your time, books, or monetary contributions, which help defray the costs of shipping books. Volunteers open letters, match up requests, package books, and ship them to prisons. They work on Sunday afternoons, 2-5 p.m. at 4511 N. Hermitage Ave. (Hermitage and Sunnyside) in Chicago. Training for new volunteers is available; email chicagobwp@gmail.com and note “Volunteer Training” in the subject line. All donations of paperback books are acceptable. Especially desired and requested are dictionaries, daily inspirational books and GED preparation books. Learn more or donate. |
VISITS
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Chicago Community Jail Support Volunteers onsite at Cook County Jail greet people as they are released from the jail. This collective provides people with rides, snacks, winter gear, water, and a warm welcome. Consider volunteering here, as they are always looking for kind people in this important work.
Lutheran Social Services of Illinois ~ Connections – Connections provides services and programs for incarcerated mothers and their families. Visits to Mom provides about 500 visits annually for Chicago children to visit their mothers during their incarceration. Free bus transportation is available to Decatur and Logan Correctional Centers. For more information contact Michael Davis 618.997.9076, ext. 861 or email Michael.Davis@LSSI.org. Reunification Ride The Reunification Ride program brings children and their caregivers to visit mothers who are incarcerated in Illinois. |