The following success stories are part of the "Helping Women in Prison" series published monthly in the Reporter. We thank Jim Cavenaugh, our board member, for his contribution to the following success stories.
2004
April
For the first time, Maritza feels good about herself. She works full time, received her first pay increase last week, and just moved into her own apartment. She has a great deal to celebrate these days as she works on her recovery following thirty-six years of addiction. As she puts it "She has seen a lot of women make it, but you have to WANT to." For the first time in her life, Martiza wants to make it more than ever which is why she is so pleased to have one year and four months clean time, the longest since she began the difficult journey that eventually led her to Promise Place. She is now a supervisor with a hotel chain.
On Sunday April 18th, we learned from Maritza that we of the Unitarian Church of Harrisburg are part of a very special success story. All who crowed into the upstairs conference room were quiet as she described how the PROGRAM for Female Offenders, especially Promise Place, had helped her find the inner strength to get a new job, to hold it and get a promotion, to re-establish contact with her daughter and her mother for the first time in 18 years. She spoke with such warmth and sincerity, it was as if she illuminated the room with her smile. wearing a professional-looking suit (that had come from our donations) and displaying a positive outlook on life, she exuded self confidence.
November
Vanessa recently moved out of Promise Place into her own place in Steelton. She is working first shift at a fast-food chain in the Uptown Shopping Center, so she catches the very first bus each morning. she is back in touch with her sister (who raised her sons when she could not) and her sons, who are very much part of her life, after being alienated from her. She had been incarcerated in Cumberland County before coming, and the programming and support she received have helped her turn her life around. We can be glad we were able to help her, and we respect her strength and courage. (For the continuation of Vanessa's story, please read the March 2005 entry.)
2005
January
Miss Lois is our newest "success story" and our most...mature. She came to Promise Place after a DUI arrest, attended all the skill classes, and graduated after a year. At 65, she has her own place in Camp Hill just down the road from her mother's nursing home, where she visits frequently. Lois comes back to Promise Place now and then to see her friends and encourage the residents.
March
We're helping women succeed at turning their lives around. Vanessa, who was our "success story" in November 2004, is the star of the United Way promotional video showing how donations can change peoples' lives for the better. Seeing her serious face as she talks of her difficult past, and then her smile as she tells how Promise Place helped her leave that behind as she learned to think things through and make better decisions, tells the viewer that our efforts are worthwhile.
August
Grace is succeeding. Our success story this month is about Grace T., who graduated from Promise Place on June 30. She has spoken before a United Way audience and got a big "Thank You" for her presentation. She is working at a factory doing "exactly what she needs to," according to Tammy Johnson of the PROGRAM. Grace's family is very supportive of her efforts. We can be proud of her, and draw inspiration from her strength and determination to succeed.
