Harrisburg, PA. — Governor Tom Wolf announced today 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
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.
Governor Wolf has served for two terms as a leader consistently at work for the people of Pennsylvania. Learn more about how his Priorities for Pennsylvania have fueled the commonwealth's comeback, leaving Pennsylvania in a much better place than when he arrived.
MEDIA CONTACT: Elizabeth Rementer, Governor's Office, ra-gvgovpress@pa.gov
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