Programs and Services

Why Not Prosper is a grassroots organization that offers women in the prison system a comprehensive array of programs and resources to help them successfully transition from prison back to the community.

Since 2000, we have provided pre-release mentoring services to incarcerated women in Pennsylvania prisons and jails to restore a sense of hope and dignity, and empower them to make positive and responsible life choices.. Our mentors provide the information and emotional support they need to develop a realistic plan to become self-sufficient. They arrange for workshops that educate prisoners about child custody issues, employment, housing, health care and family reunification.

Our transitional house, located at 717 Chelten Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, 19144, has had great success in helping released prisoners successfully transition back to community. So far only 3% of our graduates have returned to prison . The comprehensive and intensive 6-12 month residential program focuses on the following issues:

• Employment. Residents receive training to upgrade job skills, and assistance in finding work in the local area. After an initial 30-day blackout period, all residents are expected to be employed full time during normal working hours.
• Personal and Financial Responsibility. Residents remit a small portion of their earnings to the transitional house to help defray the cost of their room and board, and bank the rest in order to save up enough for a housing deposit when they graduate. They must keep their themselves and their personal areas neat and clean, and perform household chores (such as cooking and cleaning) as assigned by the house monitor. They must completely abtain from alcohol and illegal drugs as long as they are residents at the house.
• Emotional, Psychological and Spiritual Healing. Residents attend regular support group meetings, and also receive individual counseling, in order to maintain a drug free lifestyle and deal with individual issues (such as dealing with domestic abuse). They attend counseling sessions with their children to promote family reunification. In addition, there are daily prayers and Bible study to reinforce the spiritual strength needed to succeed in the long run.
• Transition to Full Independence. The residential program is intended to last 6 - 12 months. Prior to graduation, residents receive assistance to find decent housing.
  

Why Not Prosper staff and volunteers are knowledgeable, experienced and professional. Many graduates of our program play a variety of roles in the organization, and their contributions are invaluable.

Community ResourceCenter

We operate two resource centers devoted to helping any woman in need to obtain access to programs and services that will help to improve their quality of life, including referrals for employment, housing, substance abuse counseling, family reunification, and appropriate health care information..

For information on programs and services or application to Why Not Prosper House, contact Reverend Michelle Obalaja at
Why Not Prosper House

610-907-0195 or Email at whynotprosper@aol.com