Volunteer Requirements

The Calvin Prison Initiative (CPI) has volunteer opportunities for current Calvin University or Calvin Theological Seminary students, faculty, and staff. At this time, we are unable to utilize volunteers who do not meet this criteria. If you are a Calvin University or Calvin Theological Seminary student, faculty, or staff member and are interested in tutoring students in the CPI program, please fill out this form.

If you are a Calvin alumni, supporter, or a local community member, there are occasionally opportunities through partner organizations which require willing volunteers. Some of these events happen at the Richard A. Handlon Correctional Facility where the CPI program is located. Volunteers must be residents of Michigan who are at least 18 years old. If you are a Calvin alumni, supporter, or local community member and are interested in being contacted about opportunities to volunteer in the Michigan prison system through other organizations, please fill out this form.

CPI Volunteer Opportunities

(1) Tutor

For Calvin University and Calvin Theological Seminary students, faculty, or staff, our greatest volunteer need is for academic tutors. In this role, you can expect to review and edit papers and other homework assignments, encourage good study skills, help with computer proficiency, and discuss course content with students.If you would like to spend time on a weekly or biweekly basis, tutoring students at the Handlon campus, please fill out an application by following .

If accepted, you will need to become an official MDOC volunteer, a process which includes:

  • Completing MDOC required paperwork.
  • Attending an orientation at the prison. 
  • Attending an additional training on Calvin’s campus with CPI staff members to re-articulate and clarify any necessary questions or concerns before going into the prison to volunteer.

Once approved, we will schedule your first visit to the prison.

While this process may seem long, we encourage students who are interested to pull through as we believe the reward of serving and the deconstruction of our typical assumptions is well worth the process.

(2) Mentor or Small Group Leader

For Calvin University and Calvin Theological Seminary students, faculty, or staff, other volunteer opportunities available include mentoring or facilitating a small group Bible study. If you are interested in exploring these or other options, please contact us at cpi@calvin.edu.