Anyone can get started in our work together as free world participants as a Pen Pal with someone who is living in prison.
We encourage people to reach out to us to be matched with a pen pal as a way to support someone who is incarcerated and deepen your own understanding of our justice system. As you may know, the UU Prison Ministry of Illinois does not officially connect people to pen pals, rather it is through the Church of the Larger Fellowship Ambassador Program for Illinois that these connections are made.

Follow this three step process:

​FIRST -watch this video
Our hope is that this video will help answer many of your questions about being a pen pal.

SECOND -
r​ead through the FAQ
In addition, you can find a whole bunch of answers to other questions about being a pen pal on THIS FAQ that we adapted from our friends at Black and Pink. 

FAQ_Being_A_Pen_Pal.pdf
File Size:	178 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

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THIRD -
Let us know you want a pen pal

Request a Pen Pal

A WORD FROM WORTHY NOW 
​The U.S. prison-industrial complex can be confusing, intense, and overwhelming. It’s also a complicated system with rules and norms that can trip up even those with extensive experience. To help both individuals and congregations, we created the CLF Prison Ambassador Certification Program to provide specialized training and ongoing support.

As part of this imitative you sign up for the IL CLF ambassador program. Note we have live training around IL about the Prison Industrial Complex (PIC), Volunteering in Prisons and Radical Hospitality. We encourage you to participate in a PIC training as soon as possible to deepen your understanding of the whole system you are engaged with as a pen pal. Check the home page for upcoming classes. 

Who is it For?
Ambassadorship is invaluable for both individuals and members of congregational prison ministry teams who are interested in:

• + visiting people who are incarcerated
• + forming a prison ministry book group
• + offering small group ministries to introduce or deepen spiritual practices
• + leading worship services
• + being matched with a local pen pal who you can also visit in prison
• starting a prison ministry or visitation program

Benefits of the IL Ambassador Program:

• + prepares you to minister to people who are incarcerated
• + potentially eases your entry into prison or jail systems
• + helps make your work more sustainable
• + provides a network of support for ministry enrichment and processing of secondary trauma
• + gives you access to resources and ongoing learning

Writing to prisoners on your own can feel a bit lonely, so please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions. Additionally, you might want to make time to write alongside someone in your congregation. Pen pal buddies can really help with accountability and remembering to find time to write. 
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NOTE: Some people find it off putting to use their own address. Please note that you can reach out ot your church administrator to check if you can send and receive mail from that address. Additionally you can use this on-line service for a fee: ​https://jmail.cc/