North Carolina Community Service
North Carolina Community Service Opportunities for People on Supervision
This directory highlights community service opportunities and court-related programs in North Carolina that may accept people on probation, parole, pretrial release, or with a criminal record. We stay hands-off: you choose the provider, and you and your supervising officer or attorney decide what counts for your case.
Policies change often. Always call first, be honest about your charges and supervision status, and get approval from your officer, attorney, or court before you start hours or report anything to the judge.
Triangle – Raleigh, Durham & Surrounding Counties
Counties: Wake, Durham, Orange, Johnston (and nearby)
✅ Verified Court-related & reentry-aware programs
ReTails Thrift Shop – AnimalKind (Raleigh)
Thrift shop that fulfills court-ordered community service hours for adults who complete an orientation and follow program rules. Limited slots; charges may be screened.
Thrift shop that fulfills court-ordered community service hours for adults who complete an orientation and follow program rules. Limited slots; charges may be screened.
Ask for court-ordered community service procedures and orientation dates.
Habitat for Humanity – Habitat Wake ReStores
Habitat Wake’s ReStores offer community service opportunities for people completing court-ordered or attorney-recommended hours through a dedicated application process.
Habitat Wake’s ReStores offer community service opportunities for people completing court-ordered or attorney-recommended hours through a dedicated application process.
Apply through the ReStore community service application and disclose your charges.
HandsOn Triangle – Court-Ordered Service List
Volunteer hub that maintains a list of nonprofit agencies in Durham and the Triangle area that accept court-ordered community service, organized by location.
Volunteer hub that maintains a list of nonprofit agencies in Durham and the Triangle area that accept court-ordered community service, organized by location.
Use their court-ordered list, then confirm each site’s rules and your eligibility.
🛠️ Eligible General community service (confirm first)
NC.gov Volunteer & Local Nonprofits (Triangle)
State and local volunteer listings for food banks, shelters, parks, and nonprofits in Raleigh, Durham, and nearby communities. Some may allow people on supervision on a case-by-case basis.
State and local volunteer listings for food banks, shelters, parks, and nonprofits in Raleigh, Durham, and nearby communities. Some may allow people on supervision on a case-by-case basis.
Search by city, then ask each site if they accept court-involved volunteers.
Charlotte & Mecklenburg Area
Counties: Mecklenburg (and surrounding urban counties)
✅ Verified Reentry-focused & court-connected resources
Reentry Partners of Mecklenburg County
County-wide reentry network that connects returning citizens to housing, employment, clothing, and community supports. Staff can often point you to community service sites that understand supervision issues.
County-wide reentry network that connects returning citizens to housing, employment, clothing, and community supports. Staff can often point you to community service sites that understand supervision issues.
Ask about community service-friendly agencies and any court program partnerships.
Mecklenburg Public Defender – Community Resources Guide
Resource list from the Public Defender’s Office that includes community service opportunities, treatment, and support services in the Charlotte area.
Resource list from the Public Defender’s Office that includes community service opportunities, treatment, and support services in the Charlotte area.
Use the guide to find nonprofit work sites; then confirm acceptance of your charges.
🛠️ Eligible General nonprofit & municipal service
Local Nonprofits & Faith-Based Programs (Charlotte)
Many churches, food banks, and shelters in Mecklenburg County host volunteers. Some will accept people completing community service when it is approved by the court or supervising officer.
Many churches, food banks, and shelters in Mecklenburg County host volunteers. Some will accept people completing community service when it is approved by the court or supervising officer.
Search locally, then get written confirmation of hours and responsibilities.
Ask officer / attorney for court-approved options
Triad – Greensboro, Winston-Salem & High Point
Counties: Guilford, Forsyth, Davidson, and nearby
✅ Verified Court-ordered community service hubs
The Volunteer Center of the Triad – Court-Ordered Community Service
Maintains a list of nonprofit agencies in the Triad that are approved for court-ordered community service, organized by county and type of work.
Maintains a list of nonprofit agencies in the Triad that are approved for court-ordered community service, organized by county and type of work.
Use their approved list and keep copies of all logs and letters on agency letterhead.
HandsOn Northwest North Carolina – Court-Ordered Service
Coordinates court-ordered community service placements in Winston-Salem and surrounding areas through an application and screening process.
Coordinates court-ordered community service placements in Winston-Salem and surrounding areas through an application and screening process.
Contact the Volunteer Coordinator for current sites, offense restrictions, and rules.
City of Greensboro – Parks & Recreation Volunteer Opportunities
Parks & Recreation offers volunteer roles, including court-related community service, through a centralized application and placement process.
Parks & Recreation offers volunteer roles, including court-related community service, through a centralized application and placement process.
Indicate that your hours are court-ordered when you apply and confirm offense limits.
🛠️ Eligible General opportunities (confirm first)
Local Nonprofits in the Triad
Food banks, thrift stores, and faith-based charities in Greensboro, High Point, and Winston-Salem sometimes accept people completing community service, especially for non-violent charges.
Food banks, thrift stores, and faith-based charities in Greensboro, High Point, and Winston-Salem sometimes accept people completing community service, especially for non-violent charges.
Ask specifically whether they can document court-ordered hours before you start.
Search local listings or ask your attorney / officer
Eastern North Carolina & Coastal Communities
Examples: Fayetteville, Wilmington, Greenville, Jacksonville
🛠️ Eligible Community service options to explore
Local Food Banks, Shelters & Habitat Affiliates
Many coastal and eastern-NC nonprofits (food banks, shelters, Habitat for Humanity affiliates, and church programs) rely on volunteers and sometimes accept court-related service hours, depending on the offense and supervision status.
Many coastal and eastern-NC nonprofits (food banks, shelters, Habitat for Humanity affiliates, and church programs) rely on volunteers and sometimes accept court-related service hours, depending on the offense and supervision status.
Use NC 211, NC.gov, or local Habitat / Salvation Army sites, then verify court-service rules.
Dial 211 or search NC.gov for your city
✅ Verified Youth-focused restitution & service (for minors)
Haven House Services – Restitution & Community Service (RCS)
Juvenile program in Wake County that allows court-involved youth to complete supervised community service hours and earn restitution for victims as part of diversion or court orders.
Juvenile program in Wake County that allows court-involved youth to complete supervised community service hours and earn restitution for victims as part of diversion or court orders.
For youth cases only; coordinate through juvenile court counselors or program staff.
Western North Carolina / Asheville Area
Counties: Buncombe and surrounding mountain counties
🛠️ Eligible Community service leads
Asheville Area Nonprofits (Food Bank, Habitat, Meals on Wheels)
Public lists of volunteer options in Asheville highlight organizations like MANNA FoodBank, Habitat for Humanity, and Meals on Wheels that may offer structured service work.
Public lists of volunteer options in Asheville highlight organizations like MANNA FoodBank, Habitat for Humanity, and Meals on Wheels that may offer structured service work.
Call ahead and clearly state that you are seeking court-related community service hours.
Start with NC.gov or each nonprofit’s volunteer page
🛠️ Eligible Colleges, churches & local charities
Local Churches & Community Projects
In smaller mountain counties, churches and local nonprofits often provide the most realistic routes to complete court-approved community service hours.
In smaller mountain counties, churches and local nonprofits often provide the most realistic routes to complete court-approved community service hours.
Ask for tasks that can be documented with signed logs and letters on letterhead.
Coordinate through your officer or attorney
Statewide tools & reentry support
Covers multiple counties / whole state
✅ Verified NC justice & reentry systems
NC Community Service Work Program (Adult Probation)
State-run program that assigns certain offenders on supervised or unsupervised probation to perform community service for the local community as part of rehabilitation. Referrals come through the courts and Division of Community Supervision.
State-run program that assigns certain offenders on supervised or unsupervised probation to perform community service for the local community as part of rehabilitation. Referrals come through the courts and Division of Community Supervision.
Ask your probation officer whether your case is eligible and how sites are assigned.
NC Local Reentry Councils (LRCs)
30+ Local Reentry Councils across North Carolina connect returning citizens with services, including employment, housing, transportation, treatment, and other supports that can be paired with community service plans.
30+ Local Reentry Councils across North Carolina connect returning citizens with services, including employment, housing, transportation, treatment, and other supports that can be paired with community service plans.
Locate your nearest LRC and ask about community service-friendly partners.
🛠️ Eligible Statewide volunteer portals
Statewide Volunteer Portals (NC.gov, Volunteer Match, 211)
Online tools that list volunteer and service opportunities across North Carolina. Not all opportunities will accept court-involved volunteers, but they are a starting point to identify agencies near you.
Online tools that list volunteer and service opportunities across North Carolina. Not all opportunities will accept court-involved volunteers, but they are a starting point to identify agencies near you.
Filter by city and type of work, then confirm court-service eligibility with each site.
How to use this directory safely: Every county, judge, and agency has different rules. Before you enroll, move, or report any activity to the court:
- Read your judgment and supervision conditions carefully.
- Call the provider to confirm they accept people on supervision and whether any charges are restricted.
- Get approval from your officer, attorney, or court before you count any hours.
- Keep signed logs, attendance sheets, and contact information for your records.
Disclaimer: OACRA lists information only and does not place participants, guarantee acceptance into any program, or speak for the North Carolina courts, Department of Adult Correction, or any supervision agency. This directory is educational only and is not legal advice.
