Volunteering opportunities CODR currently offers and requirements for training

  • Join us for Worship!

    Worshipping with the men inside of the prison walls is an amazing experience! The guys love knowing that they are valued and not forgotten. We need worship volunteers at both Fort Dodge and Rockwell City prisons. Minsters and musicians are especially welcome! Volunteering inside of the prison requires filling out an Iowa DOC volunteer application form which includes a background check, then completing some short video training courses.

  • Prison Fellowship Academy

    We have been blessed to partner with Prison Fellowship to provide a year long reentry preparation course inside of the Fort Dodge Correctional Facility. Each week teams of volunteers get to share their experience, strength and hope as men grow deeper in their faith and learn to overcome the challenges of reintegrating into society. We currently have groups that meet on Monday night from 6-8 pm and Thursday afternoons from 2-4 pm. We would love to have you on our team! Volunteering inside of the prison requires filling out an Iowa DOC volunteer application form which includes a background check, then completing some short video training courses.

  • Connie's Closet (meeting basic needs at the Fort Dodge men's halfway house)

    Men entering the Fort Dodge Community Corrections Center (men's halfway house) after release have next to nothing, so we supply their closet with basic needs such as: clothing, shoes, coats, washcloths, towels, and hygiene supplies. This level of support requires no special training and is coordinated by a CODR volunteer lead (Connie). *Currently we are in need of towels, washcloths, men's coats, sweatshirts and sweatpants (XL-3X), shirts (XL-5X), belts (all sizes), shoes (tennis shoes, black dress, non-slip and work boots, socks (6-12 size), underwear (L-3X), and plastic hangers. Donations can be dropped off at St. Olaf or Grace Lutheran Church in Fort Dodge Ia.

  • Become a CODR Council Member

    As we're reimagining what this ministry will look like in the future, we could use your support. Our goal is to have our CODR Council reflect the diversity in our community as well as the diversity of the population we serve. We would love to have more churches, community organizations and demographics represented. Give us a call!

  • Reentry Support

    Men transitioning back into to society face many barriers and can have many needs. Reentry support can cover a broad spectrum from simply helping with transportation needs to organizing a home cooked meal at our reentry facility to providing emotional and spiritual support during difficult times. The main idea is to surround returning citizens with good Christian community, to give them a sense of acceptance and belonging in the body of Christ. Our volunteers consistently tell us that they get just as much if not more than they give.

Reentry Reintegration

“It’s a ministry, not a program”

Becoming a Volunteer

Being a Reentry Volunteer is about engaging in true discipleship not pity.

We establish healthy relationships with men, teaching responsibility, accountability and good stewardship. Volunteers need to be patient people who can keep good boundaries and provide honest, loving feedback when needed. That’s what we all need.

Even though we are a Christ centered ministry, we respect the individual’s right to believe what he or she wants about God and will not exclude anyone from Reentry support based on their spiritual beliefs. We will however assess a man’s readiness for the reentry program based on feedback from his treatment counselors, parole officers and other DOC staff. Reentry candidates need to be individuals who accept complete responsibility for what they’ve done and be willing to abide by all program rules.

How can I get involved?

Fill out the information on the contact page 

to begin a conversation with the CODR Ministries Director,

Pastor Kelli Glasgo, regarding the steps to take.

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