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Clare of Assisi House Receives Funding to Support Reentry for Women

Dec 18, 2022

Governor Wolf Announces $2 Million in Awards Supporting Successful Reentry for Women 

Harrisburg, PA. — Governor Tom Wolf announced Wednesday the award of $2 million in Women’s Reentry Services Initiative Grants to 21 recipients through the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD). Championed by First Lady Frances Wolf, the program funds will support non-profit organizations to provide holistic reentry support services to assist women in their return to communities across Pennsylvania.

 

“This $2 million will not only save the state money in the future by reducing recidivism, but it gives an invaluable gift to these women and their families as they work to successfully reintegrate themselves into society,” said Gov. Wolf. “I’m incredibly grateful to Frances for her unwavering commitment to securing this funding before we leave office. Through her advocacy, she’s opened the eyes of many to the challenges women reentrants face and the importance of community support.”

 

“Women face countless challenges when they return to their communities after incarceration, and the support, guidance and hope that community organizations offer are immensely important,” said First Lady Frances Wolf. “By investing in these organizations, we are investing in the well-being of women, their families, and Pennsylvania as a whole.”

 

Eligible program activities and expenses for the $2 million grant program included, but were not limited to, supportive housing; workforce development services and employment assistance; job readiness support services; access to childcare; transportation assistance; access to effective treatment for healthcare, substance use disorder, mental health, and trauma; access to identification documents essential to obtaining employment, housing, and other government assistance such as driver’s licenses, birth certificates, and social security cards; peer supports and mentoring; and family reunification services.

 

“By aiming resources at addressing the dynamic risk factors associated with reincarceration, this initiative will help begin the healing process,” PCCD Executive Director Mike Pennington said.  “Reducing recidivism can help stabilize not only the women directly impacted, but their families as well.  This could result in less crime and victimization overall, which leads to safer communities.


The grant awardees are listed below:

 

Adams County

South Central Community Action Programs, Inc., $100,000

 

Allegheny County

Three Rivers Youth, Inc., $100,000

 

Bedford County

Center for Community Action, $100,000

 

Berks County

Clare of Assisi House, Inc., $100,000 – Clare of Assisi House, located in Reading, PA, provides transitional residential living in Berks County to non-violent women with a history of domestic violence and/or substance abuse upon their release from prison. Founder, Robin Ball, was concerned by the prison recidivism rate – a revolving door of incarceration and relapse. Robin recognized women had nowhere safe to go upon their release or had to return to the environment that sent them to prison. Clare House was established to give women help with the challenging obstacles of rebuilding their lives.

 

Blair County

Blair County Drug and Alcohol Program, Inc., $100,000

 

Centre County

Center for Alternatives in Community Justice, $25,120

Go ReEntry Specialists, Inc., $100,000

 

Chester County

Friends Association for Care and Protection of Children, $100,000

 

Dauphin County

AMiracle4Sure, $100,000

South Central Workforce Development Board, $100,000

 

Lancaster County

Bethany Christian Services of Central PA, $100,000

 

Luzerne County

Employment Opportunity & Training Center of Northeastern Pennsylvania, $100,000

 

Monroe County

ECCR Group, Inc., $100,000

Metamorphosis Women’s Empowerment Initiative, $92,614

 

Montgomery County

Family Service of Montgomery County, $99,916

The Kintock Group, Inc., $100,000

 

Philadelphia County

Maternity Care Coalition, $82,352

Prevention Point Philadelphia, Inc., $99,998

Why Not Prosper, Inc., $100,000

 

Washington County

Blueprints, $100,000

 

York County

The Program for Female Offenders of South Central Pennsylvania, Inc., $100,000

For more information about PCCD’s reentry efforts, please visit the website at www.pccd.pa.gov

 

Believing strongly that decisions of the past shouldn’t keep Pennsylvanians from making progress—getting jobs, going to college, or renting a house—Gov. Wolf has prioritized second chances. Pardons, Pennsylvania’s first-in-the-nation Clean Slate Law, and reentry support have all been part of the governor’s strategy to support meaningful change that allows for success, reduced recidivism, and safer communities.

 

Learn more about Governor Wolf’s Priorities for Pennsylvania.

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