Volunteering With University Beyond Bars
Why volunteer for UBB?
When volunteering at UBB, you will have the opportunity to work with a unique and extremely rewarding population that most people have no contact with. Prisoners understand volunteers give their time for free and they are utterly appreciative and respectful. We value and welcome our volunteers and their ideas and insights as a vital part of our warm-hearted and dedicated community.
Where will I volunteer?
We currently offer courses at the Washington State Reformatory, a medium-security men’s prison, in Monroe, located about 30 miles northeast of Seattle. By next spring we hope to have volunteer opportunities in the Washington State Correction Center for Women in Gig Harbor as well.
What are the opportunities for volunteers?
- Mentoring/Tutoring: Help students in study hall, the computer lab, or assist in a specific class.
- Arts and Lecture Series: If you have a skill or interest you’d like to share but don’t have time to teach, consider coming to the prison as a guest and providing a one or two hour lecture. The Arts and Lecture Series is held the first and third Saturday of the month from 6:00-8:30pm. Find more information about the Lecture Series on our Curriculum page.
- Fundraiser: Have experience with grant writing? We can always use help researching funding opportunities and drafting grant applications.
- Administrative: Help with various administrative tasks, including curriculum development, promotional material design and distribution, social networking, and volunteer outreach.
- Special Events: Throughout the year UBB hosts and participates in many events including fundraisers, speaking engagements, student graduations, and publicity events. You can help plan and/or implement future events.
What is the time commitment?
If you are helping with a class or tutoring, we will expect you to spend at least two or three hours at the prison per week for the entire fall or spring semester. The commitment for any other kind of volunteering is on a case-by-case basis, but we always prefer working with dedicated individuals.
I want to volunteer! What’s next?
Obtain the UBB Volunteer Application from the contact below. Upon receiving it, we’ll set you up with one of our staff to determine where your skills and interests fit with the program’s needs. If you will be volunteering at the prison, you will also have to complete volunteer training at the correctional facility, which is only offered once every few months. Check with UBB staff to find out when the next training takes place.
If you have questions, please contact UBB at info@universitybeyondbars.org