SPRING 2015 wpaonline.org
WomenCare Mentors Have Big Impact WOMENCARE pairs WPA clients with volunteer mentors from the community. By strengthening each woman’s network of pre- and post-release support, the program helps participants successfully return to their communities and establish safe, healthy, and law-abiding lives. HOW WOMENCARE WORKS Mentors and mentees begin to build a relationship while the mentee is in prison through letter-writing and optional visits leading up to release. After release, pairs maintain regular contact and participate in workshops and special outings. Throughout the relationship, mentors receive ongoing support and training from WPA staff in addition to monthly trainings facilitated by local experts in reentry, criminal justice reform, mental health, domestic violence, substance abuse, and related fields. WOMENCARE SUCCESSES Mentoring programs for criminal justice-involved women have yielded radical reductions in recidivism rates for participants. The positive relationships formed through mentoring are profoundly rewarding for mentors, mentees, and their communities. In July 2014, WomenCare reopened in Taconic and Bedford Hills Correctional Facilities. Since then, the program has recruited and trained 35 mentors and matched 20 client mentees. Since the early 2000s, WPA has provided mentoring through WomenCare to women making the transition home after incarceration.
It feels good to be around women who don’t believe in judging us because we are formerly incarcerated. — Mary, WomenCare Mentee
TOP: Mentees Crystal, Mary, and Tonya pose with WomenCare Coordinator, Tataria at the Mentor/Mentee meeting at Huntington House. BOTTOM: Mary and mentor Teresa shared many hugs and laughs at the meeting. Mary continually expressed her gratitude for her compatible mentor who is understanding and supportive. Teresa and Mary are both excited to see what the future holds for their budding relationship.
Spring at WPA Mother’s Day at Huntington House
Every mom deserves to feel pampered on Mother’s Day and thanks to our friends at The Body Shop, Pierre Michel Salon, Angela Cosmai, and Kelley Quinn, our moms at WPA did! Makeup artists from The Body Shop near Astor Place treated moms to a makeover that mirrored the internal transformation our clients have experienced since reconnecting with their children at WPA’s family shelter. Anita Roddick, founder of The Body Shop strongly believed that “the business of business should not just be about money, it should be about responsibility. It should be about public good, not private greed”. Our deepest gratitude to Khadija and Christianna from The Body Shop, stylists Dora and Angela, and photographer Kelley for making this Mother’s Day special!
Healthy Habits Thanks to private support from the United Way and the Charles Lawrence Keith and Clara Miller Foundation, WPA provides fresh fruit and vegetables to families living at Huntington House. Since the monthly program has been implemented, we have seen an increase in healthy eating habits, especially amongst young children who love the fresh fruit. In response to the popularity of the program, families now look forward to fresh produce twice per month. Meeting basic needs such as food is an important first step in stabilization and toward building a rewarding, self-sufficient life in the community and avoiding future criminal justice involvement.
Financial Literacy Founded in 2005 by a small group of senior women from the hedge fund and investment communities, High Water Women engages over 3,500 women throughout the financial sector in volunteerism and philanthropy. Earlier this year, High Water Women volunteers hosted two financial literacy workshops at WPA’s Hopper Home. The workshops focused on debt reduction, the dangers of online security breaches, creating personal budgets, and
using critical thinking skills to avoid unscrupulous lenders. Many WPA clients were using check-cashing services instead of a bank or credit union and paying exorbitant fees. When women move into one of WPA’s residences, the initial focus is stabilization and goal setting. A top goal for many residents is to secure stable income and permanent housing. Learning to manage one’s finances is an integral part of becoming selfsufficient.
Special thanks for our high school volunteer, LILY, who helps out at WPA twice a week!
Video: 170 Years of Firsts At Cocktails for a Cause in April, WPA debuted a new video highlighting our 170 years of firsts. Special thanks to volunteer Amira Dughri for her generous donation of time and talent to make the video a reality. Watch at vimeo.com/wpanyc.
Cocktails for a Cause 2015
Save
the
Events Date
The Andrew J. “Pete” Connick
Memorial Golf Outing to benefit
October 6, 2015 GlenArbor Golf Club Bedford Hills, New York
On Wednesday, April 29, WPA celebrated its 170th anniversary! The event featured a display of WPA’s archival materials and honored the work of Maya Schenwar, the Sills Family Foundation, The Body Shop, and Eileen Fisher 9th Street Boutique. Jessica Pimentel of Orange is the New Black was Master of Ceremonies and made sure everyone had a blast, former client Brunilda Rivera shared her incredible story of success, and The Shaves had everyone on their feet as special musical guests. To see more event photos from BJ Enright Photography, please visit www.flickr.com/photos/wpaonline. VIP Admission $100 Early access to seating with 7 p.m. entry, 2 hour open bar, hors d’oeuvres, swag bag General Admission $50 7:30 p.m. entry & cash bar Confirmed Celebrity Guests as of May 15: Alysia Reiner David Alan Basche Emma Myles Germar Terrell Gardner Ian Paola Jackie Cruz Joel Marsh Garland Kimiko Glenn Laura Gomez Tanya Wright Taryn Manning
Join us for a fun and relaxing day of golf at the beautiful and prestigious GlenArbor Golf Club. The WPA golf experience includes: •
18 holes (scramble format)
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Cart & caddie
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Pre-round brunch
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On course snacks & beverages
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Post-round cocktails & dinner
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Open bar throughout
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Entry gift
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Prizes for 1st, 2nd, & 3rd place foursomes
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Unlimited use of putting green & driving range
Live auction featuring: •
24-hour Tesla Model S Experience
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Foursome & lunch at GlenArbor
Learn more and register at www.wpaonline.org/events/golf
Events continued Wellness Month March was WPA Wellness Month! Thanks to all who came out to strengthen with a ride for a cause at Cyc Fitness NYC, be empowered through self-defense at Radical MMA NYC, and connect at CrossFit Solace with yoga and meditation! Many thanks to each of those locations for their donations of time, space, and expertise! Thanks also to Urban Greens, Al Shams Exceptional Islamic Apparel, Lifeway Kefir, and the David Lynch Foundation for their generous contributions. As always, a very special thanks to our Emerging Philanthropists who continue to find fun and innovative ways to raise funding and awareness for the women and families of WPA.
Special Thanks The new look of this newsletter is thanks to the generous work of Red Rooster Group, a nonprofit branding and marketing agency in NYC. Red Rooster awarded WPA a free brand review with excellent advice and resources for elevating our brand. Meet our new friends at www.redroostergroup.com.
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