Tennessee Community Service
Tennessee Community Service, Volunteer Hours & Restitution Projects
A statewide, living directory of places where people may complete community service or volunteer hours connected to probation, parole, diversion, or reentry. Policies change by county, judge, and program. Always confirm with your supervising officer, attorney, or court clerk before starting hours on your own.
Statewide & Telehealth / Referral Options
Coverage: entire state of Tennessee (check with your local officer for approval).
✅ Court-Connected / Commonly Used
Tennessee Department of Correction – Community Service / Work Projects
TDOC and county probation programs often organize road-side litter pickup, government grounds maintenance, and other supervised work crews.
TDOC and county probation programs often organize road-side litter pickup, government grounds maintenance, and other supervised work crews.
Ask your officer about local crews
American Job Centers – Tennessee
Some AJC sites host short-term service projects or refer to partner nonprofits that accept court-related volunteers.
Some AJC sites host short-term service projects or refer to partner nonprofits that accept court-related volunteers.
Ask for reentry / community service options
Tennessee 211 (United Way)
Statewide helpline and search tool where you can look up volunteer and community service opportunities by ZIP code.
Statewide helpline and search tool where you can look up volunteer and community service opportunities by ZIP code.
Search “volunteer” + your county
🛠️ Statewide Community Options (confirm with officer)
Habitat for Humanity ReStores (Multiple TN Locations)
Nonprofit thrift / building supply stores that often accept volunteers for sorting, stocking, and donations.
Nonprofit thrift / building supply stores that often accept volunteers for sorting, stocking, and donations.
Filter by Tennessee & call to ask about court hours
Salvation Army – Tennessee Locations
Thrift stores, pantries, and shelters across Tennessee that may accept community-service volunteers.
Thrift stores, pantries, and shelters across Tennessee that may accept community-service volunteers.
Ask if they sign court paperwork
Local Humane Societies & Animal Shelters
Most counties have animal shelters that use volunteers for cleaning, laundry, and animal care.
Most counties have animal shelters that use volunteers for cleaning, laundry, and animal care.
Look up your county shelter & check age / offense limits
West Tennessee & Memphis Area
Key counties: Shelby (Memphis), Fayette, Tipton, Lauderdale, Haywood, Madison (Jackson), Dyer, Lake and nearby areas.
✅ Commonly Used / Court-Connected
City of Memphis – Public Works & Neighborhood Clean-Up
Public-works crews and neighborhood clean-up days sometimes accept court-ordered service through probation or diversion programs.
Public-works crews and neighborhood clean-up days sometimes accept court-ordered service through probation or diversion programs.
Check with your officer or court coordinator
Shelby County General Sessions / Probation Programs
Some probation units place people directly with county departments or local nonprofits for verified hours.
Some probation units place people directly with county departments or local nonprofits for verified hours.
Ask your PO which partners they use
City of Jackson & Madison County Programs
Municipal and county courts may assign hours with parks, sanitation, or public buildings.
Municipal and county courts may assign hours with parks, sanitation, or public buildings.
Get a list directly from the clerk / officer
🛠️ Community & Nonprofit Options (confirm first)
Memphis Union Mission
Faith-based shelter with meal service and donation sorting; may accept volunteers for approved charges.
Faith-based shelter with meal service and donation sorting; may accept volunteers for approved charges.
Ask intake staff about court-ordered hours
Mid-South Food Bank
Regional food bank serving West Tennessee; volunteers help with sorting and packing food.
Regional food bank serving West Tennessee; volunteers help with sorting and packing food.
Check restrictions for felony / violent offenses
Keep Tennessee Beautiful / Local “Keep Clean” Affiliates
County clean-up days and litter campaigns that may accept court-approved volunteers.
County clean-up days and litter campaigns that may accept court-approved volunteers.
Look for Shelby & West TN affiliates
Middle Tennessee & Nashville Metro
Key counties: Davidson (Nashville), Williamson, Rutherford (Murfreesboro), Sumner, Wilson, Robertson, Maury and neighbors.
✅ Commonly Used with Probation / Courts
Metro Nashville & Davidson County Community Service Programs
Courts and probation often place people directly with Metro departments or supervised work crews (parks, public works, sheriff’s office).
Courts and probation often place people directly with Metro departments or supervised work crews (parks, public works, sheriff’s office).
Use only locations written on your judgment / referral form
Project Return – Nashville
Reentry nonprofit focused on employment; occasionally hosts service projects or connects participants to partner organizations that accept hours.
Reentry nonprofit focused on employment; occasionally hosts service projects or connects participants to partner organizations that accept hours.
Confirm whether hours can count for your case
🛠️ Community & Faith-Based Options (confirm first)
Nashville Rescue Mission
Large shelter providing meals and emergency services; uses volunteers for kitchen and donation-center work.
Large shelter providing meals and emergency services; uses volunteers for kitchen and donation-center work.
Ask about community-service sign-offs
Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee
Warehouse and mobile-pantry volunteer shifts across Middle Tennessee.
Warehouse and mobile-pantry volunteer shifts across Middle Tennessee.
Check online for “court-ordered service” rules
Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee – Stores & Donation Centers
Some locations allow court-related community service for approved offenses.
Some locations allow court-related community service for approved offenses.
Use Goodwill’s “Community Service” guidance & bring paperwork
East Tennessee & Knoxville Area
Key counties: Knox (Knoxville), Anderson, Blount, Sevier, Roane, Loudon and surrounding communities.
✅ Commonly Used / Coordinated with Courts
City of Knoxville & Knox County Community Service Programs
Some cases are placed with city / county departments for supervised work days.
Some cases are placed with city / county departments for supervised work days.
Only use locations listed on court paperwork
🛠️ Community & Nonprofit Options
Volunteer East Tennessee
Online portal listing volunteer projects for nonprofits across East Tennessee, including Knoxville, Oak Ridge, and surrounding counties.
Online portal listing volunteer projects for nonprofits across East Tennessee, including Knoxville, Oak Ridge, and surrounding counties.
Filter for opportunities that allow court-ordered hours
Knox Area Rescue Ministries (KARM)
Offers shelter and meals; many people complete service hours in kitchen, warehouse, or thrift stores.
Offers shelter and meals; many people complete service hours in kitchen, warehouse, or thrift stores.
Check their policy on court-ordered volunteers
Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee
Warehouse and mobile-pantry volunteer shifts serving 18 East Tennessee counties.
Warehouse and mobile-pantry volunteer shifts serving 18 East Tennessee counties.
Ask specifically about court hours before scheduling
Chattanooga & Southeast Tennessee
Key counties: Hamilton (Chattanooga), Bradley (Cleveland), Rhea, Marion, Sequatchie, Meigs and nearby.
✅ Court-Connected / Partner Programs
City of Chattanooga & Hamilton County Work Crews
Municipal and county programs sometimes place people on supervised clean-up crews or projects with parks and public works.
Municipal and county programs sometimes place people on supervised clean-up crews or projects with parks and public works.
Get written assignment from court / probation
🛠️ Community & Faith-Based Options
Chattanooga Area Food Bank
Volunteers sort, pack, and distribute food across Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia.
Volunteers sort, pack, and distribute food across Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia.
Check policies for people with felony convictions
Chattanooga Rescue Mission & Local Shelters
Faith-based shelters that may offer meal-service or facility-support volunteer shifts.
Faith-based shelters that may offer meal-service or facility-support volunteer shifts.
Call ahead and mention you are on supervision
Northeast Tennessee / Tri-Cities
Key counties: Washington (Johnson City), Sullivan (Kingsport/Bristol), Carter, Greene, Hawkins, Hamblen and nearby.
✅ Probation / Court-Linked Sites
Johnson City & Washington County Departments
Court programs may place participants with parks, landfill, or public-works projects.
Court programs may place participants with parks, landfill, or public-works projects.
Use only if listed on your referral paperwork
🛠️ Community & Nonprofit Options
Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee
Warehouse and distribution volunteers support food pantries across the Tri-Cities region.
Warehouse and distribution volunteers support food pantries across the Tri-Cities region.
Ask if they track court-ordered hours
Regional Humane Societies & Animal Shelters
Most Tri-Cities counties have shelters that accept volunteers for animal care and cleaning.
Most Tri-Cities counties have shelters that accept volunteers for animal care and cleaning.
Call first; some restrict certain offenses
Rural Counties & Small Towns
Examples: Upper Cumberland, Highland Rim, Delta and Appalachian counties that do not have large nonprofits but still need volunteers.
✅ Local Government & Probation-Directed Service
County Probation / General Sessions Community Service Lists
Many rural courts maintain their own approved lists (highway departments, solid waste sites, county fairs, rescue squads, animal shelters).
Many rural courts maintain their own approved lists (highway departments, solid waste sites, county fairs, rescue squads, animal shelters).
Get the current approved list directly from your officer
🛠️ Typical Rural Community Options
Public Libraries, Senior Centers & Civic Clubs
Smaller towns often use volunteers for events, cleaning, and front-desk help.
Smaller towns often use volunteers for events, cleaning, and front-desk help.
Ask staff whether they accept court-ordered service
Volunteer Fire & Rescue Fundraisers / Events
Some departments allow non-hazard volunteer roles such as fundraisers or community days.
Some departments allow non-hazard volunteer roles such as fundraisers or community days.
Never perform hazardous duties just to complete hours
Supervision reminder: A site being listed here does not mean it is automatically approved for your case. Always confirm with your supervising officer, attorney, or court clerk before starting hours, and follow any written instructions on your judgment or referral form.
Documentation tip: Keep a simple log (date, time, tasks) and ask the organization to sign your timesheet each visit. Get a completion letter on letterhead or official form if possible.
Safety & limits: If a task feels unsafe, outside your abilities, or inconsistent with your conditions (for example, heavy machinery, chemicals, or contact with restricted groups), stop and talk with your officer or attorney about alternatives.
