Our Programs
Imagine breaking the cycle of hopelessness, abuse, criminality and economic dependence
The cornerstone of all programming provided by THE PROGRAM for Women & Families is our belief that all individuals should be treated with dignity and respect and, given the opportunity, are capable of making positive changes in their lives and meaningful contributions to society. Each year, THE PROGRAM for Women & Families serves close to 2,000 individuals — women offenders, their children, at-risk youth and parents at risk of abusing their children. They are mothers, daughters, sisters, aunts and grandmothers. Their children and families are caught up in circumstances beyond their control. The at-risk youth, often facing both academic and behavioral problems, come from school districts throughout Lehigh County. Although the challenges facing each individual are different, THE PROGRAM for Women & Families seeks to educate and support these underserved individuals to break the cycle of hopelessness, abuse, criminality and economic independence. And in the end, by addressing the needs of one individual at a time, we are making our communities a better place for all.
Women offenders. THE PROGRAM for Women & Families is the only nonprofit organization in the Lehigh Valley that addresses the special needs of women transitioning out of the criminal justice system. Programs include:
Children of incarcerated parents. The children of incarcerated parents are often the unseen, forgotten victims of circumstances they cannot control. THE PROGRAM offers programming to help the children of women offenders create happy family memories during what otherwise would be a very sad and lonely time. For women offenders who are mothers, maintaining positive connections with their children is an important motivator to create positive change in their lives. Programs include:
At-risk youth. Engaging in delinquent behavior or dropping out of school put youth at risk for future criminal behavior. THE PROGRAM targets these risk factors to help break the cycle of criminality in future generations. Programs include:
- Alternative Learning Program — Helping Adolescents (ALPHA)
- Disciplinary Education Alternative Learning (DEAL)
Family Reunification. Mothers who have been incarcerated, many of whom suffered abuse as children, lack social and interpersonal skills, and/or lack economic resources, are at high risk of maltreating their own children. Under the auspices of our Family Reunification Program, THE PROGRAM for Women & Families provides community-based services to women offenders housed at the Women's Residential Community Center. Program services include:
Related programs. At THE PROGRAM for Women & Families, we believe that individuals, when treated with dignity and respect, and given the opportunity, are capable of making positive changes in their own lives and meaningful contributions to society. We offer retail theft remediation classes for juvenile and adult shoplifters.