Parole Project recognizes that community interaction is a vital component of reentry. Community engagement provides an important opportunity for our formerly incarcerated clients and community members to build trust and understanding. We employ multiple outreach methods to foster connections and build faith between our organization, our clients, and our communities.
Events
Parole Project hosts special events to encourage community involvement in our clients’ reentry, generate support for second chances, and humanize formerly incarcerated people. Each summer, we host our Redemption Luncheon to update invested stakeholders on our organization’s work, thank supporters for their commitment to our mission, and celebrate our clients’ successes. We also bridge the gap between formerly incarcerated people and local communities by partnering with organizations to bring both groups together through community service, education, and social interaction.
Volunteer Opportunities
Parole Project utilizes volunteer opportunities in a variety of ways for both our supporters and our clients.
Outside volunteers teach classes, mentor clients, and assist with special projects. Their commitment to our mission and our clients exemplifies the community investment in the lives of formerly incarcerated people. They help our clients gain a sense of acceptance as valued members of the community and serve as ambassadors for our clients by sharing their experiences with others.
We encourage clients to participate in community service projects. Staff and clients often donate their time in service to their neighbors and other organizations. Beyond displaying a commitment to those around them, these opportunities build trust and understanding within the community.
If you are interested in volunteering with Parole Project, please contact Matthew Pineda or fill out our volunteer interest form.
Speaking Opportunities
Parole Project provides opportunities for clients to share their experiences with others through speaking engagements. We frequently connect clients and staff with community groups, organizations, and schools where they share testimonies and insight with audience members. If you would like to request a speaker, please contact Matthew Pineda or complete our speaker request form.
Collaborations and Partnerships
No one person can bring about change on their own. Parole Project started with a few dedicated individuals, and today, our impact is stronger than ever thanks to our partnerships. Together, we can better address the issues formerly incarcerated people face and show the power of second chances.
Parole and Re-entry Clinic | Paul M. Hebert Law Center at LSU
Parole Project has been proud to partner with the LSU Law Center’s Parole and Re-entry Clinic for several years. During their time in the program, law students earn course credits as they work with Parole Project clients ahead of their clemency or parole hearings. Students spend the semester interviewing clients at their respective correctional centers, building their legal packets, and preparing them for their hearings.
The Visiting Room Project
Since November 2022, we have partnered with The Visiting Room Project – a multimedia initiative that seeks to humanize the experiences of people serving life sentences. The Visiting Room Project offers viewers an opportunity to watch lifers tell their stories in their own words. We have hosted screenings and panel discussions with participants – further connecting community members with the experiences of long-term incarceration.
The Frederick Douglass Project for Justice
Since December 2022, we have collaborated with The Frederick Douglass Project for Justice to host prison visit sessions at Elayn Hunt Correctional Center. During these sessions, community leaders are given a tour of prison facilities, learn about programming opportunities, and participate in group sessions with currently incarcerated men. The sessions aim to challenge misconceptions, raise awareness of prison realities, and build connections between prison residents and the outside populations. In 2024, we plan to expand this partnership to include visits to the Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women.
If you would like to participate in a prison visit session, click here to complete our interest form.