SAFE HomeArdella's first Safe Home Residential Program has the capacity to house six women. In addition to housing, we provide support services that includes an assessment of immediate needs and history as well as goals related to livelihood, housing, health and well-being, family reunification, and criminal justice compliance. Part of our programming includes an assessment that helps women assess their strengths and needs while guiding them as they think about their goals and how to reach them.
MentoringWe pair each woman in our program with at least two female mentors; one of the mentors needs to have experienced incarceration herself at some point in her life, the other, a successful business owner. Mentoring focuses on individual resource building and planning and has proven to be one of the most important reasons women and girls are successful in their reentry journey.
Health/Sexuality
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Life InterruptedThe Life Interrupted Program consists of a series of pre-release empowerment workshops based on the Sanctuary Model® that occurs within the prisons. It is a 12 week program that makes it possible for women to obtain work, housing, health care; to rebuild their families; and to participate fully in civic life. We stress self-reliance through the development of independent living skills; self-empowerment and peer support; and client involvement in the community.
ParentingOur Parenting Classes support justice-impacted women in healing family bonds and building strong, nurturing relationships with their children. These classes focus on positive discipline, effective communication, trauma-informed parenting, and reunification strategies — all within a safe, empowering environment. Whether a mother is preparing to reunite with her children or learning to parent from a distance, we equip her with the tools, confidence, and support to grow into the parent she strives to be.
Participatory Defense HubWe are proud to partner with The Elevation Project on the Haddington Participatory Defense Hub in West Philadelphia. Participatory Defense is a community organizing model that puts community at the front of criminal defense. Our meetings take place ever Tuesday from 6:00pm- 8:00pm. Call for more details. |
ReACTIONWe work with a group of adjudicated young women in weekly sessions called ReACTION where we discuss the challengers they face, and how they can react positively to them. Girls come to talk, vent, get things off of their chest, learn, get materials and request one on one support and so much more. Group topics include anger management, conflict resolution, trauma, coping skills and self-esteem. This ongoing support and mentorship is essential for girls attempting to rebuild their lives and find a positive path forward.
Workforce DevelopmentOur Workforce Development Program provides men, women and girls with various options to increase their workforce skills and to earn a living wage. Through workshops, like Workplace Essentials, one-on-one coaching, and partnerships with local businesses and training providers, we walk with each person as they build a new professional path.
Family Reunification ProgramOur Family Reunification Program is rooted in the belief that healing is a family affair. When women are incarcerated, it often results in painful separations from their children and loved ones — sometimes for years. Our program supports women in repairing those relationships and reuniting with their families through a structured, compassionate approach that prioritizes safety, emotional healing, and long-term stability. We provide counseling, parenting support, court advocacy, and coordinated visitation to help rebuild trust and connection between mothers and their children.
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Ardella’s House helps women assess their strengths and needs while guiding them as they think about their goals and how to reach them. Development of each woman’s service plan includes an assessment of immediate needs and her history and goals related to livelihood, housing, health and well being, family reunification, and criminal justice compliance.
A Few Facts that Prove Women’s Prison Is More Horrifying Than It Looks:
Policies unique to women
Many prisons do not have policies unique to women, and apply a universal system of screening and assessment to both men and women
Female Offenders
This lack of unique standards for female offenders often leads to higher risk classifications for women, which makes reentering society even more difficult.
Recidivism
Recidivism in women is often related to a lack of services and support system after they leave prison.
Even so, recidivism rates for women are much lower than for men. Despite lower recidivism rates, risk classifications for women leaving prisons are overestimate their danger to society, leading to difficulty getting housing and custody of children. The absence of any support system to assist women to reenter society after incarceration often leads to reoffending.
Even so, recidivism rates for women are much lower than for men. Despite lower recidivism rates, risk classifications for women leaving prisons are overestimate their danger to society, leading to difficulty getting housing and custody of children. The absence of any support system to assist women to reenter society after incarceration often leads to reoffending.
Transitioning
Transitioning back into society is more of a challenge for women.
There are very few resources for mothers after they leave prison. The children of female offenders are five times more likely to be imprisoned. The absence of a primary caregiver leads many children of imprisoned women to substance abuse and criminal behavior.
There are very few resources for mothers after they leave prison. The children of female offenders are five times more likely to be imprisoned. The absence of a primary caregiver leads many children of imprisoned women to substance abuse and criminal behavior.
