Doing “community service” is one way for people to avoid jail time or pay off court fines and fees they may owe. Congregations can help keep people out of jail or help them pay off those burdensome court fines and fees by offering community service opportunities.

VICPP, with the help of its Bonner Scholar Daniel Williams, has created a short toolkit on how congregations can apply and offer community service. Click here for a copy.

This effort to encourage congregations to offer community service options complements our legislative work during the General Assembly. We supported Del. Manoli Loupassi’s bill that enables people who owe court fines and fees to get (or keep) their driver’s licenses if they get on a payment plan or do community service to pay off the fines and fees. Governor McAuliffe made a few good modifications to the bill that were supported and the bill was signed into law last week. Thanks to everyone involved in supporting this important reform.

Roberta Oster Blog