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Are you dedicated to lifelong learning and wonder:
“How can I make a positive difference in our world?”

“… THANK YOU for allowing me to participate in this amazing, wonderful project….
The work you are doing is, well, wonderful…

and the saying life changing just doesn’t do it justice.
It’s more than that… it’s life changing, community changing, and societal changing.
And I, for one, am so glad to have seen it, both externally and internally,
since the difference it makes is, well, so deep,

moving and flat out palpable at the deepest levels.
It was truly an honor to visit/be part of this experience.”

– Scott Weber, lawyer

About this Training

The Freedom to Choose Project is powered by the dedication and commitment of an extraordinary corps of highly trained volunteers. Our work has been so successful that incarcerated participants are calling it “a movement.” Our educational model is recognized as revolutionary in prison rehabilitation. We educate people to improve their lives on all the parameters of human experience: physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. Thanks to a grant from the California prison system, we are expanding our programming and training more volunteers.

This training is for anyone interested in deepening their own experience with how they serve. By participating in this training, you are NOT obligated to volunteer with FTC.

Why we call it “Service Learning”

Our educational approach is a “walk your talk” model, so we train volunteers in the communication and emotional intelligence skills that they will model for incarcerated participants. While volunteers are being of selfless service, they are simultaneously learning and improving their own lives. It’s truly a win-win that brings people from all walks of life together in heartfelt connection.

Here’s what previous Service Learning Participants have to say:

“It was amazing to find such deeply heart-centered souls in this big city and connect in such a profound way.You created the optimum environment for this kind of work and I am so thankful.” 

“I love that 15 minutes with a stranger can be so powerful. What a great reminder in the beauty we can all have/be.” 

“What I liked most about the training program is the unbelievable experiences 
I was able to share with others in their own healing as well as my own.” 

“I found the lack of judgment to be contagious.” 

“In the proper setting and with the proper training, the power of transformation and acceptance is magical.” 

Our Service Learning Training is highly experiential. The majority of the 2-day training will entail learning and practicing the same emotional intelligence and communication skills that we teach in prison. Through practical exercises, you will learn how foundational selfless service skills have the potential to transform both your life and the world around you. Learn to incorporate these skills in your personal and work life and discover your inner passion for selfless service. We will also have a brief section covering the logistics of volunteering in prison. (Note: A brief prison-specific logistics orientation will be required prior to joining us on a prison service project.)

In this two-day Service Learning Training:

  • Learn how to engage in selfless service so that you take care of yourself in the process.
  • Learn skills that will support you in bringing your “best self” forward in any context.
  • Learn leading edge emotional intelligence skills for dealing with people that will benefit ALL relationships: service, work and personal.
  • Deepen your compassion for yourself and others, regardless of circumstance.
  • Bring your “best self” forward in any area of your life.
  • Learn skills that will transform your own life physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually, while simultaneously being of service to others.
  • Learn what it’s like to volunteer on a prison service project.
  • Learn skills to be more effective volunteering in any service capacity.
  • Meet like-minded people and find new friends.

If you are also interested in volunteering with FTC, the SLT is a great opportunity to become familiar with our organization and the hands-on approach used in FTC’s prison programs. This Service Learning Training will prepare you with the skill set you need, and also describe the practicalities of volunteering in prison so that you can decide if volunteering with us is right for you.

Participants who have successfully completed the training will receive an electronic certificate.

This training is offered in English.

How to Sign-Up

Join our announcement list to be notified when the next Service Learning Training will be scheduled.