The Transformative Justice Center (TJC) is dedicated to promoting empathy, understanding, and human dignity within the criminal justice system. We believe in seeing the core goodness and wisdom in every person, regardless of their past, and our work is built on the foundation of compassion, education, and advocacy.
The TJC is located downtown Monterey that serves as an information center for those interested in learning about the lives of the incarcerated. The center also houses Empathy in Action, a prison exchange program offered to members from the public.
Program Information General Description of what students will be doing at this Site:
TJC Key Responsibilities:
• Program Support: Assist in organizing and executing justice-related programs, workshops, and events, specifically those aimed at educating the public about the incarcerated population.
• Advocacy & Outreach: Support outreach efforts to the community, including drafting newsletters, social media posts, and informational materials about the center’s work. Contact various media outlets. Set up information table when needed at various fairs and events.
• Administrative Duties: Perform office duties such as answering phones, scheduling appointments, organizing essays and incarcerated writings, and ensure center visibility and presence.
• Collaboration & Networking: Work with attorneys, social workers, community partners, and other stakeholders to support the center’s justice initiatives and advocacy campaigns.
• Fundraising: Work with program director to find and apply to appropriate grants and related funding opportunities.
Transition with Purpose (Workforce Development) Duties
• Participant Intake & Case Prep
o Build/maintain interest form and intake packet (contact info, goals, barriers, releases).
o Conduct 15–20 min pre-screens; schedule full intakes; capture notes in tracker.
• Resume, Applications & Mock Interviews
o Draft, edit, and tailor resumes/cover letters; help complete online job apps.
o Run mock interviews; record feedback and readiness scores.
• Employer & Partner Outreach
o Research fair-chance employers; track contacts; draft intro emails; schedule calls. o Maintain a partner sheet (industry, point of contact, roles open, hiring requirements).
• Resource Mapping
o Compile local supports (IDs, DMV, housing, transportation, clothing, childcare, training).
o Keep each listing current (contact, hours, eligibility, notes).
Homecoming Hotline Duties
• Service Design & SOPs
o Draft a first-pass call flow: greeting → verify consent → assess need → match resource → schedule follow-up → close.
o Create triage levels (urgent, time-sensitive, routine) and escalation steps.
• Resource Directory & Warm Handoffs
o Build a structured directory (housing, food, ID, transport, treatment, legal, employment).
o Pre-call providers to confirm eligibility and warm-handoff procedures.
• Call Handling & Documentation
o Check voicemail/texts, return calls, schedule callbacks, and log every contact.
o Track time to first response and resolution.
Volunteer Support
o Help recruit, onboard, and train hotline volunteers (confidentiality, boundaries, basic de-escalation, documentation).
o Build a quick reference guide (scripts + emergency numbers).
• Outreach & Materials
o Draft rack cards/flyers; coordinate distribution (courts, probation, shelters, clinics). o Write short social posts announcing the line and hours.
Desired Intern Characteristics:
• Skills & Experience:
o Strong interest in social justice, prisoner voices and lives
o Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
o Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and online research tools.
o Ability to work independently, manage multiple tasks, and meet deadlines.
o Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Personal Attributes:
o Commitment to social justice, equity, and community empowerment.
o Compassionate and empathetic with a professional approach to client work.
o Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion.
Interprofessional opportunities available for the student: Volunteer every Monday in the Empathy in Action prison program - 4-6pm, 8-week cycles inside CTF Soledad prison.
Concentration:
- Social Work
- Community Health
- Public Administration/ Non-profit Management
Format of Service:
- Remote Service
- In-Person Service
Type of Service: Direct Client Service
The following CHHS Competencies that the student will be exposed to:
- Collaboration
- Conflic Resolution, Negotiation, & Mediation
- Cross Cultural Competency
- Financial management
- Information Management
- Knowledge of Health & Human Services (SW or CH)
- Leadership
- Personal & Professional Communication
- Professional Development
- Systems Management
trainings/ staff meetings offered or required:
I will provide pre-program training for Empathy in Action as well as training in the justice center based on intern's project.