Liaison Elizabeth Fraser shared the following from her meeting with Impact Partner, WomenFirst Transition and Referral Center:

“It struck me again, despite my extensive reading on the topic, the seemingly endless list of practical needs of women facing discharge from prison. In addition to providing individual financial assistance such as paying utility bills, storage units, driver’s license fees, transportation costs for family reunification, various skill development classes are offered.

These programs are contracted with local non-profits that specialize in teaching topics such as financial literacy, co-parenting, teen parenting, tenant rights, communication skills including conflict resolution, trauma-informed emotional healing, personal empowerment skills including identity formation and values clarification, peer mentorship, work readiness and job assistance.

WomenFirst also offers a Clean and Sober Long-Term Recovery Continuum Care Program which includes living accommodations for up to two years at an affordable cost, bridging women to permanent housing. This is a rare service for women waiting for affordable housing.
There is power in supporting people with their most basic needs, and for women returning to the outside world from prison (returning citizens) the needs are vast. This sector of our society that is generally overlooked and left to fend for themselves is finding an organization in WomenFIrst that seeks to equip them in a variety of practical ways.”

WomenFirst also shared some photos of recent activities, below: a group of Ready to Rent graduates, a team building exercise, and a group photo from the Good in the Hood parade!