Our Aftercare Program
At
A Peaceful Habitation we evaluate and assess each woman’s needs upon
arrival at the home.
We have a resource center available for a woman who wants to
study for her GED, improve her typing skills, apply for employment
online or just work on her computer skills. If her dream or goal is
to continue her education or pursue vocational training, we have
contacts and resources at Central NM (CNM) that will assist her
access scholarships and grants to help with the cost of education.
Even though we do not have the ability to accept women with severe
medical or psychiatric or psychological issues, APH has referrals and
resources for medical and counseling if a woman so requires.
Upon
acceptance to APH, Inc. a woman is welcomed home. Because APH is a
home, every effort is made to make every woman feel part of the
family.
She is picked up at the incarcerating facility or the bus stop.
She is given a welcome basket, a prayer quilt and a hygiene basket
and bus pass. Hygiene and bus passes are provided for the first
three months at no cost. After a woman finds employment, she is
responsible to obtain them. If it is determined that she still needs
assistance, it will be provided.
She is assigned a mentor (sometimes two) and mentor is informed of
her arrival and provided with forms to begin her transition.
She is processed (in a non-intrusive manner) into the home and
provided with a copy of the daily schedule (making sure she
understands that she will be held responsible to participate in all
workshops/classes, church attendance, etc.), the policies and
procedures, list of employers (She is encouraged to take the first
week to get acclimated and get accustomed to her surroundings and
the requirements of the probation and parole department, before
seeking employment. All the changes can be overwhelming.) and
resources, etc.
Copies of conditions of release are obtained and it is determined
when she will need to see her Probation and parole officer.
An assessment/evaluation of her needs and skills is completed.
Depending on the woman’s needs, arrangements are made to fulfill
those needs. She may need clothing, so she is referred and sometimes
taken to Act/On, My Sister’s Closet or the home garage where
clothing is available.
A woman has to pay $150 entrance fee (one-time) and $300 a month
rent. We know everyone does not have money after incarceration, so
terms are worked out for the fees to be paid after employment and in
a timely manner.
Life Skill classes are provide to empower every woman to assist her
in making wise choices in life, whether those choices are financial,
with employment, family and definitely spiritual.
We have an ordained pastor (retired prison chaplain) available for
the women. We have a resource center that will help those who need a
GED or help with resume writing. Because we only have four women at
one time in one house, we can provide individual attention to the
needs of the women in their efforts to become an independent person.
APH is blessed to have a very supportive and generous cadre of
volunteers who go above and beyond to help the women who come to the
home. They also provide special outings, fun activities which will
sometimes include the women’s families.
Every woman is required to open a savings account to assist them in
preparing for their transition out of APH. Monthly monitoring
determines the progress made by each woman.
APH has resources that will assist women in obtaining housing and
household furnishings if needed after the 6 or 12 month stay. Again,
the length of stay is determined by the woman’s progress and on an
individual case by case basis.
