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Registration for 2024 is CLOSED
We Hosted Two Celebrations this Year!
See you in 2025!
Saturday, March 29, 2025
Burruss Correctional Training Center
Saturday, April 12, 2025
Walker Faith and Character-Based Prison
The Returning Hearts Celebration is a day when incarcerated parents and their children experience Christ's heart for reconciliation. You don't need to read psychology journals to know that the best way for some children to escape generational cycles of crime and incarceration is to have a loving, Christ-following parent (even from prison) speak into their lives. The message the kids receive at Returning Hearts is loud and clear: "Don't do what I did, you don't want to come here, this is not a good place, this is not a good life." "You have to stay in school and away from drugs." "I'm sorry. Please forgive me. I want to be a better parent."
This year, we're looking for 75+ volunteers at each facility to lead incredible days of food, fun, and fellowship.
To register for the 2025 Returning Hearts Celebration, you will need to complete the following:
1. Fill out the informational form below.
2. Pay your $50 Mission Fee. Please note: there are two different missions fees this year - you only need to pay the missions fee for the event at which you'll be volunteering. The Returning Hearts Celebration is a free gift to incarcerated parents, their children, and caregivers. Your mission fee helps to partially offset the expenses for this event. HeartBound Ministries does not profit from any gifts or fees received on behalf of the Returning Hearts Celebration.
3. Complete the Returning Hearts Celebration 2025 Volunteer Guide. After paying your Mission Fee, you'll receive a Word document titled "Returning Hearts Celebration 2025 Volunteer Guide." You will need to carefully read through this document and sign and date the (1) PREA form, (2) GCIC form, (3) Waiver, and (4) Film/Audio/Video Release form and return all four forms via email or mail by February 20, 2025 for Burruss and March 22, 2025 for Walker.
If you are unable to return your forms by the deadlines or register after the deadline, you will not be able to volunteer.
REGISTRATION FOR RETURNING HEARTS AT BURRUSS HAS CLOSED.
Release, GCIC, and PREA forms can be mailed to HeartBound Ministries
or emailed to Grace Hall at grace.heartbound@gmail.com.
HeartBound Ministries
P.O. Box 191703
Atlanta, GA 31119
Register to Volunteer at Returning Hearts
The first step to volunteering at the 2025 Returning Hearts Celebration is to complete this informational form. You'll then need to pay your $50 Missions Fee for either Burruss, Walker, or Burruss and Walker if you'd like to serve at both celebrations. After your fee is paid, you will automatically receive the 2025 Volunteer Guide and 4 forms that you must sign and return to HeartBound Ministries by mail (P.O. Box 191703 Atlanta, GA 31119) or e-mail (grace.heartbound@gmail.com).
Questions? Call Grace: 706-457-9295
We recommend completing this form on a laptop or computer, not a mobile browser.
2024 Schedule -
Burruss Correctional Training Center
Friday, March 15, 2024 (ATTENDANCE ON FRIDAY IS NOT MANDATORY, BUT IS HIGHLY ENCOURAGED)
5:30-6:00 PM
Check in for volunteers. T-shirt distribution
6:00 PM
Prison Count Time (must be in gym before count)
6:30-7:30 PM
Testimonies of Malachi Dads participants, prayer for event and worship service with inmates
7:30-8:30 PM
Training, Q&A
8:30 PM
Dismissal. See you bright and early in the morning!
Saturday, March 16, 2024
7:30-8:30 AM
Volunteer check-in and job assignment
8:30 AM
Volunteers take their places and children begin to arrive
9:00-Noon
Fun, fun, fun! Games, inflatables, family photos, art and crafts, board games, petting zoo, face-painting, and more!
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Lunch
1:00-1:15 PM
Transition to program area
1:15-2:00 PM
Program with music and guest speaker
2:00-2:15 PM
Transition to balloon release area
2:20 PM
Balloon release
2:30 PM
Final goodbyes
*Please note, this schedule is subject to change.
2024 Schedule -
Walker Faith and Character-Based Prison
Friday, April 12, 2024 (ATTENDANCE ON FRIDAY IS NOT MANDATORY, BUT IS HIGHLY ENCOURAGED)
5:30-6:00 PM
Check in for volunteers. T-shirt distribution
6:00 PM
Prison Count Time (must be in gym before count)
6:30-7:30 PM
Testimonies of Malachi Dads participants, prayer for event and worship service with inmates
7:30-8:30 PM
Training, Q&A
8:30 PM
Dismissal. See you bright and early in the morning!
Saturday, April 13, 2024
7:30-8:30 AM
Volunteer check-in and job assignment
8:30 AM
Volunteers take their places and children begin to arrive
9:00-Noon
Fun, fun, fun! Games, inflatables, family photos, art and crafts, board games, petting zoo, face-painting, and more!
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Lunch
1:00-1:15 PM
Transition to program area
1:15-2:00 PM
Program with music and guest speaker
2:00-2:15 PM
Transition to balloon release area
2:20 PM
Balloon release followed by fire truck
2:30 PM
Final goodbyes
*Please note, this schedule is subject to change.
What it means to serve at Returning Hearts - A Volunteer's Perspective
Directions to Walker Faith and Character-Based Prison
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From Atlanta, take I-75 North to exit 350 (Ft. Oglethorpe/Battlefield Pkwy) and turn left on to Battlefield Parkway
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Go 10.5 miles and merge on to US-27/GA-1 South toward Lafayette/Chickamauga
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Turn right onto Kay Conley Rd, about .7 miles past Kay Drive. The Kangaroo Express is on the left corner
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Turn slight right onto Old GA-27
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Cross the railroad tracks and take a left onto Straight Gut Rd.
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Go approximately 1.6 miles and turn right onto Kevin Lane.
The number to the prison is 706-764-3600. The Chaplain is Aaron Reaves and the Deputy Warden is Ryan Clark.
Walker Faith and Character-Based Prison
97 Kevin Lane
Rock Spring, GA 30739
Directions to Burruss Correctional Training Center
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From Atlanta, on I-75 South take Exit 188
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Turn right onto Collier Road
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Follow signs for G.P.S.T.C.
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Turn left crossing over the railroad track onto Smith Road
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Take an immediate right
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Proceed straight to the G.P.S.T.C. guard gate
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Stop and inform the gate that you are volunteering at Returning Hearts
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Turn right – a driving track will be on your left
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Continue until you reach a four way stop sign
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Turn left – following signs for Burruss CTC
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Turn right into Burruss CTC
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Parking is on your left