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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

 

WPA’s expanding network of neighborhood-based services includes:

Family Preservation Program

Sunflower House Permanent Housing

East New York Day Program

These programs are based out of our local service hub, the Brooklyn Community Office.

 
 

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