This is our twelfth suggestion: Carry this message to other alcoholics! You can help when no one else can.
Thank you for your interest in this critical service work.
Volunteering for the Corrections Committee provides an opportunity to carry the AA message to the confined alcoholic "behind the walls" of area jails and prisons who want to live sober, one day at a time. The primary mission of the Cleveland Corrections Committee (separate from the AA Cleveland District Office) is to collect funds through group donations (e.g. the group Pink Can fund drives) and turn those funds into literature; such as pamphlets, 12&12s and Big Books (in various sizes and languages) for men and women incarcerated in our area.
- Coordinate the work of individual AA members and groups who are interested in carrying the AA message of recovery to incarcerated alcoholics.
- Are responsible for gathering donations via the Pink Can to purchase literature to give to the incarcerated alcoholic.
- Help organize lead and discussion meetings in area city and county jails, work houses, pre-release centers, as well as some near and not so near prisons.
- Work with corrections personnel so that alcoholics can receive the lifesaving AA message who might never otherwise find the AA program.
- Work with getting newly released inmates to meetings in areas where they're being discharged. Strict guidelines apply.
Some services you may be willing to help with:
- Accept a Pink Can for my Home Group to collect money for the Corrections Committee to purchase Big Books and other AA conference approved literature, Grapevines and meeting schedules to take to the incarcerated AA’s. To get your group started accepting the Pink Can, print the registration form.
- Participate in an AA meeting at a correctional facility (you choose the time commitment you are comfortable with).
- Collections, bookkeeping, records, typing, warehousing, treasury, creative writing, business administration.
- Donate the Big Book, Twelve and Twelve and any AA conference approved literature and Grapevines to the Corrections Committee to be given to inmates.
- Speak at a facility; and/or co-chair a meeting at a facility.
- Attend the Corrections Committee Volunteer workshops, held twice a year - Contact us for more information.
Attend a Corrections Committee Meeting
Everyone is invited to attend our monthly business meetings, held at the AA Cleveland District Office conference room at 6:30 PM the first Monday of every month (second Monday if the first is a holiday). Anyone may attend a business meeting; sheets will not be signed as this is not an A.A. meeting.
If you are interested in getting involved with the Corrections Committee or have questions, please:
- Contact the Cleveland District Office at (216) 241-7387 and your information will be forwarded to the Volunteer Chairperson.
Please include your contact information so a Corrections Committee member can contact you.
Inmate Correspondence
If you are interested in corresponding with an inmate, please go to A.A. General Service Office website. There is a form available to complete and send in to get started with this service work.
...then you will know what it means to give of yourself that others may survive and rediscover life.