RECIDIVISM IS REAL.
Formerly incarcerated women suffer from a high rate of unemployment and homelessness. A significant number lack the education required to obtain jobs that pay a livable wage. Data sources include: (IDOC reports) (Prison Policy.org) (Vera Research.org) (NIJ)
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~12%
Unemployment
An approximate 4,000 women remain incarcerated in Illinois each year. Those who re-enter various IL communities are faced w/the task of countering an ~12% unemployment rate for minority women.
~ 22.5%
Recidivism
3-year recidivism rate for women released from correctional centers in Illinois. This means that nearly 23 out of every 100 female reentrants return to a correctional facility within three years after release.
~ 83%
Reduction
Approximated rate of reduction in recidivism when women re-entrants are provided w/housing assistance & related support programming. This indicates housing support could likely prevent 19 of 23 three-year women recidivists.
HOW DO WE COUNTER ?
Coordinated and concentrated services and programming will allow HOPE for Women and its ever-growing network to facilitate the stabilization of women reentrants in Champaign County.
Housing
We offer housing assistance to help women find safe and affordable housing as they re-enter various Champaign County communities. Long-range data indicates that lack of stable housing leads to elevation in recidivism rates.
Education
The acquisition of knowledge and the development of skills is essential for reentrants to obtain employment attached to livable wages. We focus on connecting clients to education programming & funding sources, so sustainment of re-entry is probable.
Financial
HOPE for Women coordinates and connects clients w/programming designed to facilitate understanding of finance and budgeting strategies. Feasible goal setting + annual planning are primary learning objectives. Financial vision counters recidivism.