Pardon Project of Berks County - Pardon Coach

The Pardon Project of Berks County helps eligible individuals with the pardon application process.  This is a LIFE-CHANGING volunteer position.

Pardon Coaches are trained to recognize the Board of Pardons' consideration factors and can help individuals submit their best possible pardon application.  Often, the success of the application is in the two essay portions of the application: Explain the incident and their involvement and share their story since their sentence ended.  How have they changed, what are they doing successfully, what are they challenged with because of their record? 

Tasks: After receiving the Pardon Coach training, coaches will be assigned a pre-screened applicant. You can choose to meet in-person, over the phone or via zoom.   In the first meeting, you will glean their history, in their own words.  Coaches may need to bring the story out – interview skills are helpful.  At the end of the meeting, set the next meeting, where the applicant should come with their essays.  Coaches will review the essays, make suggestions for content, and possibly schedule a third meeting to finalize.  The application must be in the applicant’s words and vernacular.  We suggest the applicant write it; however, a coach may offer to assist if there is a need, illiteracy, lack of computer, etc.  The coach will submit a final application back to Connections Work for review and submission to the board of Pardons.

Commitment: After the one-hour training, meeting(s) with an applicant can take anywhere from 2-4 hours to complete the application.

Requirements: Interview and writing skills are a must