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Are you passionate about expanding access to higher education in prisons? Join us at the Florida Coalition for Higher Education in Prison (FCHEP) and become part of a transformative movement. Whether you’re interested in volunteering with us, partnering organizations, or simply learning more, this page is your gateway to involvement.

Here, you’ll find a list of upcoming events across Florida where you can connect, engage, and help advance educational opportunities for incarcerated individuals. Join us in making a difference!


FCHEP Bi-Monthly Coalition Meeting

September 25, 2025 • Join Here

Operation New Hope – Hope Starts Here 5k

September 27, 2025
8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. • Harbor Park at Lake Baldwin

Community Spring – Open House

October 9, 2025
6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. • 218 NW 2nd AveGainesville

Florida Cares – Volunteer Meeting

October 9, 2025
7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. • Join Here

The Florida Restorative Justice Association – Regional Conference

October 24 – 26, 2025
St. Paul’s United Methodist Church

Florida Cares – Holiday Project Packing

November 10 – 12, 2025

Florida Cares – Volunteer Meeting

November 13, 2025
7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. • Join Here

Florida Cares – Volunteer Meeting

December 11, 2025
7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. • Join Here

Exchange for Change – ECI Graduation

December 15, 2025
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. • Everglades Correctional Institution

Exchange for Change – HCI Graduation

December 17, 2025
3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. • Homestead Correctional Institution

Florida Cares – Volunteer Meeting

January 8, 2026
7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. • Join Here

Florida Cares – Volunteer Meeting

February 12, 2026
7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. • Join Here

BOOKS BEHIND BARS

Donate your unwanted books (of any kind) to the Florida Prison Education Project.  Contact Program Coordinator Michael Kostis

Mailing Address:
UCF Florida Prison Education Project
Attn: Michael Kostis
12400 Aquarius Agora Dr.
Orlando, FL 32816

Our program does the following with your donations:  First, books are sorted and assessed. If they are suitable, desired, and cleared by the Department of Corrections, they are donated to prison libraries in the Southeast United States. If there are multiple copies of a single title, they are used as textbooks for FPEP course offerings. If the donated books cannot be donated to prisons or used as course materials, they are sold to raise money for the program. 100% of the proceeds of any sales benefit the program and our incarcerated students. Thank you for your donations. Thus far, the Florida Prison Education Project has collected over 100,000+ books to benefit incarcerated students.

Florida Prison Education Project has been included on the newly created Book Donation Map of America. The map allows you to search by your city and shows local organizations that accept book donations near you.

Boxed up in the FPEP office

Books in the trailer

Donated art supplies

Books delivered

Book donations

Unloading books

Background texture using a painting by Anthony Casanova
FCHEP Newsletter cover

FCHEP Newsletter

Introducing the first issue of the FCHEP Newsletter.

Read the Newsletter