Correctional Facility Educational Initiative
Classes Inside Jails
Empowering Justice Impacted women to break the cycle of poverty.
Everything here is confidential and used only for our records at Cease Poverty to ensure the accuracy of every applicant and safety of all.
Name
First Name
Last Name
Address
City
State / Province
Postal / Zip Code
Phone Number
Please enter a valid phone number.
Format: (000) 000-0000.
Email
example@example.com
Background and Experience
1. Are you Justice Impacted? (formerly incarcerated)
Yes
No
2. If yes, are u OFF Parole/Probation?
Yes
No
3. Have you gotten your background expunged/Sealed? If not, would you like information on how to start the process?
Yes
No
No, Give me information
4. What motivated you to volunteer for this opportunity?
5. Do you have any prior experience working with inmates or in a correctional facility?
6. What skills or knowledge do you possess that you believe would be beneficial for this program?
7. Have you previously worked in education, mentorship, or similar roles? If so, please describe your experience.
8. Do u have any entrepreneurial (business) experience? If so, please describe your experience.
Attitude and Approach
9. How do you handle challenging or difficult situations with individuals who might be resistant or skeptical?
10. What strategies would you use to engage inmates who may have limited interest in learning?
Commitment and Availability
Cease Poverty’s classes at the Cook County Department of Corrections run for either two or four weeks, depending on the course. Classes are held on Wednesdays or Thursdays, from either 5:00–6:15 p.m. or 6:00–7:15 p.m. The day and time for your class will be confirmed a month in advance before it begins. Please confirm that you can attend every session before signing up.
11. Can you commit to attending every session of the two- or four-week class you’re assigned to?
12. Cook County Department of Corrections is just the beginning of our in-person educational initiative! As Cease Poverty expands, we plan to offer classes in correctional facilities across different states and potentially internationally. Would you be interested in traveling with us to help facilitate classes as opportunities become available? (We are working on funding to cover travel expenses.)
Yes, I’m interested in traveling.
Yes, but only within Illinois.
Yes, I’m open to out-of-state travel.
Yes, I’m open to international travel.
No, I’m only available locally, (Chicago)
Understanding of the Environment
13. Have you ever been incarcerated or Arrested and held at station? Specify which.
14. Have you ever visited an inmate in jail or prison ?
15. What is your understanding of the challenges women face while incarcerated, and how would you help create a supportive learning environment for them? Helping them feel comfortable and connected during class while keeping them interested and engaged, especially if they’re hesitant to participate?
16. Are you familiar with the rules and professional boundaries for working with people inside a correctional facility?
We want all interested assistant facilitators to understand that our classes are taught from Cease Poverty’s Purpose Within workbook and curriculum, which focus on helping incarcerated women discover their identity and purpose. Each facilitator will receive a simple, step-by-step guide to follow, so prior teaching experience is not required.We also hope this opportunity inspires you to grow, gain valuable experience, and create your own pathway moving forward, whether through entrepreneurship, writing a book, teaching, or pursuing your personal goals.
Once you complete and submit this form our team will review your submission. Once reviewed, we will send you this Cook County Volunteer Handbook (below), along with the Cook County application forms to complete. Cook County and all other Correctional Facilities has the final say on who’s approved.
Note: All applicants must complete a 1-hour virtual training. The next training is scheduled for Nov. 2026
Important Information!!!
All volunteers must complete a training every year. These trainings will be virtual on Microsoft Teams. Other reminders: Please join the training on time!!! If you arrive late, your attendance may not be counted and you may not be let into the meeting. Please listen to the instructions from the training facilitator carefully to ensure that your attendance is accounted for (i.e., put your name and organization (Cease Poverty) in the chat, etc.)
Submit
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