Get Involved

Learn how you can be part of our mission in the community.

Advocate for Justice

Learn how you can help

Changing policies begins with changing minds. Learn how you can advocate for criminal justice reform, racial justice, and other issues.

Graph of US State and Federal prison population showing a steep rise in total size beginning in the early 1980s and continuing to the present
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics Prisoner Series (The Sentencing Project)

Read the latest news on sentencing policy

Learn more about the alarming rise in the size of the state and federal prison population since the 1980s and the ways organizations around the country are pushing for change in sentencing policies.

Learn More

Screen capture of the FAMM Action Center website
FAMM Website

Advocate against mandatory minimum sentences

Learn about ways to keep updated on the movement to end minimum sentencing, and the effects of mandatory minimum sentences on families by visiting the Take Action center from Families Against Mandatory Minimums.

Learn more

Photo of art on the wall at the Transition Support Center. Text reads Yes you can; We welcome your authentic self.

Volunteer

Share your talent or expertise

Woman sitting with an inmate and looking at text on a paper

Programs inside MCCC

New Leaf – New Life facilitates programs multiple days a week in the Monroe County Jail. These programs include Re-Entry Workshops, Life Skills Classes, Poetry Classes, Writing Groups and the Read to Me program. Volunteers facilitate or assist the facilitator with anything they need to run the program for the day. These programs typically last 1.5-2 hours.

Young people standing outside Sample Gates in downtown Bloomington Indiana; busy street.

LIFE SKILLS & RE-ENTRY GROUPS

Our Life Skills Groups focus on addressing 1) Personal Improvement and Skill-Building, 2) Relationship and Community-Building, and 3) Leadership. Volunteers will assist with creating lesson plans, as well as attending the groups at the TSC or in the Monroe County Jail.

Stack of papers and folders

Jail Letter Requests

We receive written requests for resources from incarcerated individuals in the Monroe County Correctional, Indiana Department of Corrections and various other correctional centers and facilities. These include requests for: treatment/housing applications, prescription/reading glasses, insurance navigation, securing recovery residences and more.

Client trying on reading glasses at the Transition Support Center

Transition Support Center

Staff and volunteers work at our Transition Support Center to welcome and assist any individuals who have been impacted by the legal system. Services at the TSC include short-term and long-term assistance, access to community resources, and guidance through the re-entry process with mentors who have relatable lived experience.

Person typing on a laptop computer

Client Technology Support

Staff and volunteers at our Transition Support Center provide assistance to legally impacted individuals with services including setting up phones and email, building resumes, applying for jobs and submitting HIP and SNAP applications.

Ready to volunteer with us?

To get started volunteering, submit the interest form below or check out our Bloomington Volunteer Network page to see current opportunities.

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Thank you for your response. ✨

Please tell us a little bit about yourself. What makes you interested in working with people currently or formerly incarcerated. Are you interested in volunteering inside the Monroe County Correctional Center, at the Transition Support Center, or both? What kinds of skills, talents, experiences will you bring? If you are a student wanting to volunteer as part of a class or internship, please tell us about your major, your class, and the hours you expect to volunteer.

Donated t-shirts at the Transition Support Center

Donate

Make a one-time or recurring financial gift

Donate supplies for those re-entering our community

Donated items can be delivered to: Transition Support Center | 1010 S. Walnut St. (Suite H) | M-F 10am – 4pm

Always Helpful Supplies

We accept donations of used clothing and shoes to distribute to the formerly incarcerated as they establish themselves in the community. The items below are always in high demand:

  • Backpacks (for re-entry kits for recently released individuals)
  • Clothing (especially men’s)
    • Underwear, both men’s and women’s
    • Non-slip shoes, both men’s and women’s
  • Cold Weather Supplies
    • Rain ponchos
    • Emergency blankets
    • Hand Warmers
  • Hygiene items such as soap, shampoo, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, and razors
  • Toilet paper and paper towels
  • Reading glasses
  • Office Supplies:
    • Pens and standard wooden pencils (not mechanical)
    • Lined notebook paper
    • File folders
    • Envelopes (both standard and yellow clasp)
    • Pocket planners for this year or next year

Every Little Bit Helps

Ways to help out with just a moment of your time

You can support the work of New Life – New Leaf by making a small gift or a small change, in as little as 5 minutes.

Kroger Community Rewards logo

Kroger Community Rewards Program

You can link New Life – New Leaf to your Kroger card with the Kroger Community Rewards program and Kroger will donate a portion of each purchase you make to us. Simply click the button below and enter organization code TJ240.

SUPPORT US WITH KROGER COMMUNITY REWARDS

Donations are critical to what we do.

New Leaf, New Life accepts donations of many items, especially clothing items, hygiene products, reading glasses, cleaning products. You can also make a financial gift to support our work in person at the Transition Support Center or click the link below.

Learn more about donations
Man looking through donated clothing at the Transition Support Center