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Registration for 2026 is OPEN.
We're Hosting Two Celebrations this Year!
Join us at Burruss and Walker!
Saturday, March 28, 2026
Burruss Correctional Training Center
Saturday, April 18, 2026
Walker Faith and Character-Based Prison
There is power in being face-to-face. The Returning Hearts Celebration is designed to reunite families and create moments where healing can begin.
Though it takes the form of a joyful carnival - full of games, laughter, and celebration - its true purpose runs much deeper. It is a rare and sacred opportunity for incarcerated parents to reconnect with their children, to be present as real parents, and to speak words of repentance, hope, and love. In the midst of the celebration, parents are able to ask forgiveness and point their children to the love and salvation found in Christ.
This single day often becomes a catalyst - restoring families, healing deep wounds, and breaking both spiritual strongholds and the intergenerational cycle of incarceration.
It is a day of restoration.
This year, we're looking for 75+ volunteers at each facility to lead incredible days of food, fun, and fellowship.
To register for the 2026 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 2026 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 March 6, 2026 for Burruss and April 1, 2026 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.
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 2026 Returning Hearts Celebration is to complete this informational form. You'll then need to pay your $50 Missions Fee found below this form 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 2026 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.
After filling out the form above, you MUST pay the missions fee below to receive the volunteer guide!
2026 Schedule -
Burruss Correctional Training Center
Friday, March 27, 2026: Optional (but encouraged) Volunteer Training
Burruss Correctional Training Center:
1000 Indian Springs Dr., Forsyth, GA 31029
5:30 PM - Check in for volunteers. T-shirts will be distributed before and after training
6:00 PM - Prison count time (all volunteers must be in gym before count)
6:30-7:30 PM - Testimonies from Malachi Dads participants, worship and prayer time with participants
7:30-8:30 PM - Training, Q&A with HeartBound staff for event
8:30 PM - Dismissal
Saturday, March 28, 2026: Returning Hearts Celebration
Burruss Correctional Training Center:
1000 Indian Springs Dr., Forsyth, GA 31029
7:30-8:30 AM - Volunteers check in and receive job assignments outside the front bunker. A short volunteer training will be held for those absent on Friday, so please arrive early if unable to attend Friday volunteer training.
8:30 AM - Volunteers enter the facility and take their places on the yard/inside the gym. Family check in begins and children proceed to the yard with their family assistant volunteers to meet their dads/uncles/grandfathers
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM - FUN! Children visit activity stations, games, inflatables, photo booths, and more with their family members and family assistants.
11:30-12:30 PM - Lunch is served. Instructions for lunch service will be given at this time
1:00-1:15 PM - Gather at program area
1:15-2:00 PM - Program with music and guest speaker
2:00-2:15 PM - Prayer time and transition to balloon release area
2:20 PM - Balloon release
2:30 PM - Final goodbyes
2026 Schedule -
Walker Faith and Character-Based Prison
Friday, April 17, 2026: Optional (but encouraged) Volunteer Training
Walker State Prison
97 Kevin Lane, Rock Spring, GA 30739
5:30 PM - Check in for volunteers. T-shirts will be distributed before and after training
6:00 PM - Prison count time (all volunteers must be in gym before count)
6:30-7:30 PM - Testimonies from Malachi Dads participants, worship and prayer time with participants
7:30-8:30 PM - Training, Q&A with HeartBound staff for event
8:30 PM - Dismissal
Saturday, April 18, 2026: Returning Hearts Celebration
Walker State Prison
97 Kevin Lane, Rock Spring, GA 30739
7:30-8:30 AM - Volunteers check in and receive job assignments outside the front bunker. A short volunteer training will be held for those absent on Friday, so please arrive early if unable to attend Friday volunteer training.
8:30 AM - Volunteers enter the facility and take their places on the yard/inside the gym. Family check in begins and children proceed to the yard with their family assistant volunteers to meet their dads/uncles/grandfathers
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM - FUN! Children visit activity stations, games, inflatables, photo booths, and more with their family members and family assistants.
11:30-12:30 PM - Lunch is served. Instructions for lunch service will be given at this time
1:00-1:15 PM - Gather at program area
1:15-2:00 PM - Program with music and guest speaker
2:00-2:15 PM - Prayer time and transition to balloon release area
2:20 PM - Balloon release
2:30 PM - Final goodbyes
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