The PROGRAM – “It’s About Change” has two divisions serving adults and children with unique and specialized programming and services.
Children’s Programming
Adult Programs and Services
Transitional Housing
Promise Place
Stories
The following success stories are part of the "Helping Women in Prison" series published monthly in Unitarian Church of Harrisburg newsletter, The Reporter.
Maritza
For the first time, Maritza feels good about herself. She works full time, received her first pay increase last week, and just moved into her own apartment. She has a great deal to celebrate these days as she works on her recovery following thirty-six years of addiction. As she puts it "She has seen a lot of women make it, but you have to WANT to." For the first time in her life, Martiza wants to make it more than ever which is why she is so pleased to have one year and four months clean time, the longest since she began the difficult journey that eventually led her to Promise Place. She is now a supervisor with a hotel chain.
On Sunday April 18th, we learned from Maritza that we of the Unitarian Church of Harrisburg are part of a very special success story. All who crowed into the upstairs conference room were quiet as she described how the PROGRAM for Female Offenders, especially Promise Place, had helped her find the inner strength to get a new job, to hold it and get a promotion, to re-establish contact with her daughter and her mother for the first time in 18 years. She spoke with such warmth and sincerity, it was as if she illuminated the room with her smile. wearing a professional-looking suit (that had come from our donations) and displaying a positive outlook on life, she exuded self confidence.
Vanessa
Vanessa recently moved out of Promise Place into her own place in Steelton. She is working first shift at a fast-food chain in the Uptown Shopping Center, so she catches the very first bus each morning. she is back in touch with her sister (who raised her sons when she could not) and her sons, who are very much part of her life, after being alienated from her. She had been incarcerated in Cumberland County before coming, and the programming and support she received have helped her turn her life around. We can be glad we were able to help her, and we respect her strength and courage.
*For the continuation of Vanessa's story, please read the March 2005 entry.
S.D.
S.D. is a 47 year old African American woman who was sentenced to prison for violating her probation in December 2005. She was originally placed on probation for drug offenses and professed she had a drug problem for over 20 years and struggled with recovery. After her transfer to the female work release facility, she began reporting to the Day Program. At the Day Program, she took advantage of the services that included career planning, goal planning, case management services, job readiness/job search, and computer skill enhancement and began her job search. Ms. D. found a job in fast food service although that was not her first choice; she vowed to work hard at it and knew it was just a matter of time until she could obtain a better job.
Ms. D. was subsequently released from the work release program and continued working her job, but on her off days, visiting the agency’s Community Center Day Program to search for another job. Ms. D. obtained a job as a Collection Representative for a local company and has been there for over one year. She maintains her sobriety and earns $17 per hour and is one of the company’s top three employees. Ms. D. is quick to respond that because of her struggles, collections work is not easy work, but she knows how to talk to people and understands the struggles of others.
Ms. D. was able to receive case management services for referrals for the necessary counseling and treatment services and has resumed her parenting role for her nine year old son.
Ms. D. continues to “give back” and returns to the agency to provide motivational life skills to current clients encouraging them to become successful because it is attainable.
© 2008 The PROGRAM; Website created by Joanie See of Ice Moon Studios
1515 Derry Street
Harrisburg, PA 17104
Tel. 717.238.9950
Fax. 717.236.3585
In Operation
for 30 Years!