New Jersey Community Service
New Jersey Court-Ordered & Reentry-Friendly Community Service
This directory highlights places where people on probation, parole, or pretrial release in New Jersey may be able to complete community service hours. Some entries are official court or probation programs; others are community nonprofits that sometimes accept volunteers. OACRA does not assign you to a specific site — always follow your officer’s and the court’s instructions and get approval before starting hours.
Statewide & Court-Connected Options
Always follow the community service instructions in your judgment and sentence.
✅ Verified Court & Probation Community Service Units
County Probation / Community Service Units
Many counties operate their own community service units or supervised work crews connected to the Superior Court or municipal courts. These placements are usually the safest option to satisfy court orders.
Many counties operate their own community service units or supervised work crews connected to the Superior Court or municipal courts. These placements are usually the safest option to satisfy court orders.
Check your paperwork for contact information or call the probation office listed on your
order and ask how to report for community service.
Statewide – by county
Municipal Court-Ordered Service
Some municipal courts allow community service instead of fines or as a condition of a diversion program. The judge or court staff will list approved sites.
Some municipal courts allow community service instead of fines or as a condition of a diversion program. The judge or court staff will list approved sites.
Never complete hours at a new site unless your paperwork or the court clerk confirms
that it is approved.
Municipal courts across NJ
🛠️ Eligible Statewide Volunteer Platforms
Jersey Cares – Volunteer Opportunities
Statewide volunteer center that posts ongoing and one-time projects with nonprofits across New Jersey (food pantries, shelters, community clean-ups, and more).
Statewide volunteer center that posts ongoing and one-time projects with nonprofits across New Jersey (food pantries, shelters, community clean-ups, and more).
jerseycares.org
Before signing up, ask your officer or court if Jersey Cares projects can count toward court-ordered hours.
Before signing up, ask your officer or court if Jersey Cares projects can count toward court-ordered hours.
Statewide
NJ 211 – Volunteer & Service Search
NJ 211 lists nonprofits, food pantries, shelters, and community programs that may need volunteers. Not all will accept court-ordered service.
NJ 211 lists nonprofits, food pantries, shelters, and community programs that may need volunteers. Not all will accept court-ordered service.
Statewide / online
North Jersey – Newark, Paterson & Hudson/Bergen
Counties: Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, Passaic, Union & nearby
✅ Verified Court-Connected Local Options
Essex County Probation – Community Service Assignments
Probation in Essex County may assign individuals to approved crew projects (parks, municipal lots, and other sites) to complete required hours.
Probation in Essex County may assign individuals to approved crew projects (parks, municipal lots, and other sites) to complete required hours.
Use the phone number on your probation paperwork to schedule orientation or ask which
days crews meet.
Newark / Essex County
Hudson County Probation – Community Service
Provides supervised or pre-approved placements for people ordered to complete service through Hudson County courts.
Provides supervised or pre-approved placements for people ordered to complete service through Hudson County courts.
Ask your officer if you must attend a specific orientation or if you may choose from
a list of partner agencies.
Hudson County
🛠️ Eligible Community & Nonprofit Service Sites
Food Pantries & Community Kitchens
Many churches and nonprofits in Newark, Paterson, and Jersey City host weekly food distributions or community meals and use volunteers for set-up, intake, and clean-up.
Many churches and nonprofits in Newark, Paterson, and Jersey City host weekly food distributions or community meals and use volunteers for set-up, intake, and clean-up.
Call ahead and say you are completing court-ordered hours; get a signed log each time and
confirm with your officer that the site is acceptable.
North Jersey cities
Animal Shelters & Humane Societies
Some animal shelters accept volunteers for cleaning, laundry, or kennel support. A few will sign off on court-ordered hours with prior approval.
Some animal shelters accept volunteers for cleaning, laundry, or kennel support. A few will sign off on court-ordered hours with prior approval.
Ask specifically whether they accept court-ordered service and what documentation they
provide after each shift.
North Jersey counties
Central Jersey – Trenton, New Brunswick & Shore
Counties: Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Somerset, Ocean
✅ Verified Local Court / Probation Pathways
Mercer County Probation – Community Service
Coordinates approved placements for people ordered to perform service through Mercer County courts, including group work crews and nonprofit partners.
Coordinates approved placements for people ordered to perform service through Mercer County courts, including group work crews and nonprofit partners.
Use the number on your paperwork; do not self-select a site until probation confirms it.
Mercer County / Trenton
Middlesex County Probation – Approved Sites
May provide a list of agencies (municipal, parks, charities) where service can be completed with written confirmation to the court.
May provide a list of agencies (municipal, parks, charities) where service can be completed with written confirmation to the court.
Ask for written instructions: hours required, deadline, and where to turn in your log.
Middlesex County
🛠️ Eligible Community & Reentry-Friendly Service
Environmental & Community Clean-Up Projects
Shore-area towns and nonprofits sometimes host beach and park clean-ups where volunteers collect trash and maintain trails.
Shore-area towns and nonprofits sometimes host beach and park clean-ups where volunteers collect trash and maintain trails.
These projects can work well for community service if your officer and the organizer both
agree to track and sign your hours.
Monmouth & Ocean Counties
Thrift Stores & Donation Centers
Some charity-run thrift stores or donation warehouses accept volunteers to sort clothing, stock shelves, or load trucks.
Some charity-run thrift stores or donation warehouses accept volunteers to sort clothing, stock shelves, or load trucks.
Confirm that they will document your hours on a form your officer or court accepts.
Central Jersey
South Jersey – Camden, Atlantic City & Counties
Counties: Camden, Burlington, Gloucester, Atlantic, Cumberland, Salem, Cape May
✅ Verified Court-Linked Opportunities
Camden County Probation – Community Service
Accepts referrals from courts and assigns people to approved crews or partner agencies to complete their ordered hours.
Accepts referrals from courts and assigns people to approved crews or partner agencies to complete their ordered hours.
Do not wait until your deadline; contact probation early to get onto a schedule.
Camden County
Atlantic County Probation – Community Service
Coordinates placements for Atlantic County Superior Court and some municipal court cases, including clean-up crews and nonprofit partners.
Coordinates placements for Atlantic County Superior Court and some municipal court cases, including clean-up crews and nonprofit partners.
Ask which agencies they partner with before you reach out on your own.
Atlantic County
🛠️ Eligible Community Nonprofits & Service Ideas
Regional Food Banks & Pantries
South Jersey food banks and pantries often rely on volunteers for sorting donations, packing boxes, and distributions.
South Jersey food banks and pantries often rely on volunteers for sorting donations, packing boxes, and distributions.
Let staff know your hours are court-ordered and bring any forms that need signatures.
Camden, Burlington, Gloucester, Atlantic & nearby
Community & Senior Centers
Some town recreation or senior centers may allow volunteers for events, front-desk help, or facility support, depending on background-check rules.
Some town recreation or senior centers may allow volunteers for events, front-desk help, or facility support, depending on background-check rules.
Ask about any restrictions related to your charges and make sure your officer approves
the site in writing.
South Jersey municipalities
Hands-off reminder: OACRA does not place you at a community service site and cannot guarantee that any organization listed here will be approved by your officer or the court.
Before you start hours: read your court order, speak with your probation officer or attorney, and get written approval for the site you choose. Keep a signed log and turn it in by the deadline.
Legal disclaimer: This directory is for information only and is not legal advice. Verify all details with your officer, the court, or the provider before acting.
