AngelaHouse

SiteVisit:November30,2022

Angela House, a Houston-based nonprofit, and Sisters have had a close relationship since it was founded in 2001 by Sr. Maureen O’Connell, OP. Angela House was founded after she noticed the population of previously incarceratedwomenwasseverelyunderserved Inapastlife,Sr Maureenwas a police officer in Chicago, which made her aware of the hardship some womenfacedafterleavingprison.Unfortunately,thenumberofincarcerated women has only grown since it was founded. In the last 30 years, the rate of women incarcerated has gone up by 900%. At Angela House, formerly incarcerated women can get a second chance at life, which is not an exaggeration. Being in a safe setting, surrounded by caring staff, and having specific programming to help them recover from substance abuse and trauma has been the recipe for helping many rejoin society as productive members.

Angela House has been in its current building for almost ten years. The building is rather old, and although it is a great home for women, it requires upkeep and repairs. The latest upgrade they needed was the installment of a new sewage pump Having backed-up toilets in a home for 16 women plus employees was becoming a significant stressor for the house, but this issue hasbeenresolvedthankstoagrant.

WomenthatremainintheAngelaHouseprogramforatleastfourmonths have an 87% success rate in transitioning into society after incarceration. The program ’ s first four months focus on immersing the women in the programming. During this time, they do not have a job and share a room with another person. The executive director, Kristin Guiney, shared the women are grateful for things we take for granted in our day-to-day lives I sawthisfirsthandaftermeetingonewoman.WhenIaskedhowshelikeditat Angela House, she first told me that she liked that she could adjust the water temperature while showering. s don’tgivethatasecondthought

Afterthefirstfourmonths,thewomenfindemploymentandarerequired to save 75% of their earnings. Most women can save thousands because they don’t need to pay for room and board while staying at Angela House. Once they have a job, they can also graduate to a single room with more privacy All this happens while the women receive group therapy and one-on-one counseling. Angela House staff knows the best way to help prevent relapse is toaddressthecoreissue,whichisoftensexualtrauma.Mostofthewomenat Angela House were already a part of a marginalized community. After incarceration, they are even more so. Working through pain and trauma is their best chance at overcoming obstacles once they leave Angela House to leadindependentlives

Recently,AngelaHousewasabletohireanaftercarecounselortoprovide support to the women after the program. If a woman relapses and reaches out to them, case workers can provide her with therapy and direct them to other organizations that can assist her in getting back on her feet. While the women ’ s stay at Angela House varies between a few months to two years, Kristin and her staff remind the women that although they aren’t in their forever home, the community they build at Angela House can be their foreverfamily.

Looking at future options for Angela House, the board is considering an affordable housing development as graduates need help finding affordable housing upon graduating from the program. In addition, an affordable homewhereawomancanlivewithherchildrenwouldoffervitalsupportto them though there would be no staff. Another option being considered is developing a social enterprise to generate a source of income for Angela House,whichisinabrainstormingphase.