Amid growing consensus about the benefits
of serving people in the neighborhoods
in which they live, WPA is actively working
to create a network of services in the
East New York section of Brooklyn.
East New York is a community where more
than 40% of households have a yearly
income of less than $15,000, and 27%
of households have a yearly income of
less than $10,000; over 25,000 children
live below the poverty line; and there
are approximately 8 foster care placements
and 37 reported cases of child abuse
and neglect per thousand residents. Substance
abuse, criminal activity, and incarceration
rates are high in East New York, compromising
the development of children who live
there. WPA’s neighborhood-based
services are aimed at developing the
strengths of women and families in this
community.
With the existing Brooklyn Community
Office (BCO) Family
Preservation Program, co-located
addiction treatment provided by Realization
Center, and Sunflower House Permanent
Housing established,
WPA has undertaken further expansion
of its response to needs of criminal
justice-involved women in East New York
and the contiguous communities of Brownsville
and Bushwick. With the creation of the East
New York Day Program, (described
below) we are reaching even more women
in the area.
East New York Day Program
In
2005, WPA opened a day program
at BCO for women with criminal justice
histories, with particular attention
focused on recruiting women who are living
in homeless shelters and women who are
on probation or parole. This program
provides a structured environment
where women can attend educational and
self-enrichment sessions and develop
positive peer relationships. It also
helps women to define and achieve their goals for
stable housing, sustained sobriety, attending
to health and mental health needs, connecting
with family, and meeting criminal justice
mandates.
Case managers meet with each woman
to ascertain her goals and help her determine
and initiate the steps she can take to
achieve them. While offering a regular
schedule of structured activities, the
day program also accommodates participant
needs to attend outside appointments
and participate in community events.
In addition to providing concrete resources
and help, the day program facilitates
the transition from a highly regimented
prison environment to the self-directed
nature of life in the community and acceptance
of the responsibilities that entails.
For more information about the East New York Day Program, the Family Preservation Program or Sunflower House, contact:
Georgia Lerner
Associate Executive Director for Program Operations
(646) 336-6100, ext. 4739
glerner@wpaonline.org
