Help us break barriers
Founded in 1845, the Women’s Prison Association is the nation's first and longest-standing organization dedicated to supporting women impacted by the criminal legal system.
Thanks to your support, our mission to make the incarceration of women obsolete is transforming the lives of women and their families.
Our commitment to change
Right now, there are 400+ women detained at Rikers Island, most of them mothers and primary caregivers, separated from their families and stuck in a system designed to hold them back at every turn.
But what if there was another way? What if we invested in women and their families instead of punishing them?
What if we shift from retribution to restoration, giving women meaningful opportunities to heal and thrive?
At WPA, we’re driving this change forward and advancing equitable solutions by:
- Connecting women to a gender-responsive network of support so no one falls through the cracks
- Ensuring women have access to safe housing, alternatives to incarceration, and essential care
- Transforming narratives, policies, and priorities to make women’s incarceration obsolete
- Expanding our reach to support more women, more families, and more communities
Our mission is audacious. Through our work, we create public safety solutions, keep families together, and help the women we serve stabilize, heal, and thrive.
We meet women where they are
By specializing in personalized care for every client we serve, WPA fosters trust, connection, and agency.
Based in New York City, WPA provides a lifeline for women navigating reentry, working alongside them to dismantle the structural barriers that have kept them in the margins for too long. This past year, WPA served 500+ clients across seven programs and two housing facilities, delivering measurable outcomes with enduring impact.
Our commitment to change
Right now, there are 400+ women detained at Rikers Island, most of them mothers and primary caregivers, separated from their families and stuck in a system designed to hold them back at every turn.
But what if there was another way? What if we invested in women and their families instead of punishing them?
What if we shift from retribution to restoration, giving women meaningful opportunities to heal and thrive?
At WPA, we’re driving this change forward and advancing equitable solutions by:
- Connecting women to a gender-responsive network of support so no one falls through the cracks
- Ensuring women have access to safe housing, alternatives to incarceration, and essential care
- Transforming narratives, policies, and priorities to make women’s incarceration obsolete
- Expanding our reach to support more women, more families, and more communities
Our mission is audacious. Through our work, we create public safety solutions, keep families together, and help the women we serve stabilize, heal, and thrive.
We meet women where they are
By specializing in personalized care for every client we serve, WPA fosters trust, connection, and agency.
Based in New York City, WPA provides a lifeline for women navigating reentry, working alongside them to dismantle the structural barriers that have kept them in the margins for too long. This past year, WPA served 500+ clients across seven programs and two housing facilities, delivering measurable outcomes with enduring impact.
Increase Your Impact
Matching Gifts and Workplace Giving
Did you know that thousands of companies match employee donations? Most will match your gift dollar-for-dollar, while some may contribute two or even three times your gift! Matching gifts are one of the easiest ways to support more women and families through WPA. Search for your company at the link below to see if you are eligible.
More ways to support WPA
Mail a check
Make checks payable to:
Women's Prison Association
347 East 10th Street
New York, NY 10009
Fundraising opportunities
To raise critical funds and
awareness in support of
our mission:
Planned giving
To learn more about gifts of
stock, corporate partnerships,
and planned giving, email:
In accordance with Internal Revenue Service requirements, we confirm that the Women's Prison Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Your gift is tax deductible to the extent permitted by law. WPA's Federal Tax ID is 13-5596836.
Looking to donate physical items?
We accept new and gently used items. Please take a look at the list below for more details. To set up drop-off at our Manhattan or Brooklyn locations, reach out here. Thank you for your support!
Many of our clients are in need of essentials. They want to look good and feel good as they settle back into their routines at home, at work, and in their neighborhood. We accept:
- Hygiene products and dental care items
- Packs of underwear, socks, tights, leggings, and bras
- Casual clothing and pajama sets, including mid-size and plus-size
- Self-care items such as single-use face masks and skin care products
- Menstrual products and first aid supplies
- Packaged makeup, preferably for diverse skin tones
- Combs, brushes, and packaged hair wraps and hair accessories
We do not accept any medicines, vitamins, or health supplements.
Our clients need fashionable and professional outfits as they pursue employment and settle back into their communities, but they don’t always have the clothes they need to help them feel confident. These items help individuals stand on equal footing with community members. We accept:
- Professional attire, including mid-size and plus-size
- Jewelry and fashion accessories
Many of our clients are impacted by housing instability and are turning their temporary or permanent housing into a home. By providing our clients with access to the essentials of housekeeping and homemaking, you can help them transition back into their communities with dignity. We accept:
- Cleaning supplies and housekeeping items such as trash bins, brooms and dustpans, sponges, dish towels, and similar items
- Home decor and accessories
- Furniture
- Packaged mattresses and cribs
- Renovation materials such as countertops, sinks, flooring, and appliances
80% of incarcerated women are mothers and primary caregivers at home. We want our clients to feel empowered and supported as they take care of their children. We accept:
- Children’s books, including books in Spanish
- School supplies
- Children’s furniture
- Art supplies and craft materials for children
- Infant and toddler toys that do not have small parts
- Toys for ages 6+ that help children build, create, learn, and grow
- Items for outdoor activities such as bubbles, chalk, foam balls, basketballs, jump ropes, and other outdoor toys
- Clothing and pajamas for newborns and children
Our clients need to decompress and take care of themselves, and we love receiving items that support their relaxation and leisure. We accept:
- Family-friendly board games
- Gift cards to local NYC businesses, especially for food shopping, dining, and refreshments
- Art supplies and coloring books for adults
- Books, journals, and pens and pencils
- Free class passes, online subscriptions, and packages for beauty and wellness services
Become a Partner
Uplift our community through a partnership and empower our clients with life-changing resources.
About WPA
Since 1845, WPA has empowered participants to redefine their lives in the face of injustice and incarceration.