Amicus

Organization
Amicus is a Minnesota not-for-profit organization with over 43 years of experience
in improving public safety by helping inmates and ex-offenders through positive
relationship-building, restorative justice practices and individualized transition
services. Through innovative programming, Amicus helps inmates and ex-offenders
reshape their lives, reach their goals, and make successful transitions from prison
into the community. All of the Amicus programs are relationship-based, community-
driven, culturally specific and outcome-oriented.

Our mission is to partner with inmates, ex-offenders, juvenile offenders and

communities to build successful lives and stronger communities.

Social Issues

The key social issue Amicus addresses is the need for a positive community
response which can help ex-offenders successfully reenter society after paying the
price for their mistakes. Related social issues are disproportionate incarceration of
racial minorities in Minnesota’s correctional system, the cradle to prison pipeline,
especially as it impacts young African Americans, and the need for a gender specific
response related to girls entering the juvenile justice system.

Volunteer/Interns involvement

Volunteers and interns are at the core of Amicus’ work. Amicus was founded 44
years ago on the strength of its One to One program, which recruits, trains, matches
and supports volunteers who visit inmates in hopes of establishing a supportive
friendship. There are currently over 300 active matches between volunteers and
inmates. Volunteers are also active in Amicus through used clothing and
hygiene item drives, and assisting in office and communications work. Interns are
integral to Amicus Reconnect, our reentry program helping those leaving
correctional facilities in their search for jobs, housing and other daily necessities.
Interns serve as counselors for Reconnect, working directly with the ex-offenders.
Interns are also active in several other facets of Amicus, including employment
groups, program evaluation and analysis, and communications.

Work Hours/Time Commitment

Volunteers’ and interns’ work hours and time commitment depend on the work they
do, and in the case of interns, any academic needs they might have through their
school. A typical internship in Reconnect might last a semester or full year with the
intern working at Amicus from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. one or two days a week. Contact
Amicus to determine what openings are currently available.
Volunteers/interns’ skill levels depend on the job. Reconnect interns are typically
engaged in a human
services related major at their school and Amicus generally looks for the intern or
volunteer to have
demonstrated experience or interest in work with ex-offenders. An open mind and
heart are probably
the key attributes for any intern or volunteer.