Prison Group

Volunteers Needed!!

All GA members who would like to volunteer to be a monthly Guest Speaker, from time to time, at a GA meeting in an Ontario Correctional Institute (OCI) facility please email Aldo I., Intergroup's

Prison Group Chair at:

prison@gatoronto.ca

Pease read the note below sent to Aldo I. by Elaine Barnes for additional understanding of what is required of volunteers/guest speakers.

From Elaine Barnes of OCI:

Good morning, Everyone,

I hope you are all doing well. I wanted to share a few important updates regarding recent Volunteer Guest Speaker changes at OCI, as well as reminders and information that impact volunteer‑run programs. Ministry Policy has changed.( reflected in highlighted areas)

Reimbursement & Guest Speaker Process

All Guest Speakers are required to provide a Vulnerable Sector Check

Costs associated with completing a Vulnerable Sector CPIC will be reimbursed to the Guest Speaker. To process the reimbursement, I will require:

• A copy of the receipt, and

• The Guest Speaker’s residential mailing address so a cheque can be issued and mailed directly to them.

I understand that this new process is not ideal and may discourage some individuals. However, with your support, I’m hopeful that we can build a rotational list of committed Guest Speakers for the next three years, with each person ideally volunteering at least twice a year. This would ensure consistency, reliability, and ongoing support for the men at OCI.

• Building a pool of Vulnerable Sector CPIC‑approved Guest Speakers (valid for a 3‑year period) who can share expertise, lived experience, or specialized knowledge.;

• With your help, I hope to begin identifying potential speakers over the next few months, have an initial list ready by spring/ early summer, and begin hosting guest‑speaker sessions by summer.

12‑Step Volunteer – Criteria

If you know individuals interested in becoming 12‑Step volunteers at OCI, here are the criteria they must meet:

• Minimum 2 years clean/sober

• Active member of their 12‑Step fellowship

• Support of their Sponsor (if they have one)

• Minimum 24 months free from the criminal justice system

  • Anyone currently before the courts or still on probation is not eligible

• Completion of an OCI Volunteer Application Package (includes 3 references)

• Willingness to obtain a Vulnerable Persons Police Records Check

  • Cost will be reimbursed

• Attend an interview

• Final step: Completion of an Orientation Session to review volunteer responsibilities, expectations, and to ensure you feel comfortable carrying the 12‑Step message inside OCI

Benefits of Service Work

Volunteer service provides meaningful benefits, including:

• Developing new skills

• Building self‑esteem and self‑confidence

• Feeling valued and needed

• Giving back what was freely given

• Connecting with new people

• Making a difference in someone’s life

• Supporting your own continued abstinence

Why Volunteers Are Essential at OCI

Simply put—without volunteers, there are no meetings.

Incarcerated individuals who struggle with alcohol use, drug use, gambling, risk‑taking behaviours, and sex‑/love‑addiction rely on volunteer-led programs to hear a message of hope, change, and recovery.

Even when volunteers exist within the institution, it does not always mean we have enough volunteers to meet the need. Ideally, we aim to have enough volunteers so each person can serve at least once per month, ensuring consistent program delivery.

And I want to add something important:

I am more than willing to attend community meetings, reach out to community partners, and do whatever it takes to recruit the right volunteers—people with self- reflective insight,  heart, compassion, and lived experience who truly understand and care about our mandate of rehabilitation and the men of OCI. This is work I believe deeply in, and I’m committed to finding the right people to support the programs that matter most.

I’m really looking forward to reconnecting with each of you—hearing how things have been going, listening to your ideas, and working together to continue strengthening the volunteer community here. If you need anything, or if there’s something you’d like me to know as I get caught up, please feel free to reach out anytime.

Thank you again for everything you’ve done. It’s truly wonderful to be back with all of you

Warm regards,
Elaine Barnes (She/ Her/ Hers) hear name

Volunteer Services Organizer

109 Mc Laughlin Road South

Brampton, ON

L6Y 2C8

Teams Internet: 1- 905- 460- 0797

Elaine.Barnes@ontario.ca

Give yourself a gift...... VOLUNTEER!

If you have any accommodation needs or require communication supports or alternate formats, please let me know. [French if applicable: Si vous avez des besoins en matière d’adaptation pour participer pleinement à tout aspect de cette réunion, veuillez me le faire savoir.]

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