Ladies Empowerment & Action Program

A nonprofit organization

$29,343 raised by 129 donors

59% complete

$50,000 Goal

In Florida, an estimated 125,000 women are released from prison and jails each year. Women experience exacerbated issues reentering society for a number of reasons, including ittle to no access to in-prison programming. Historically, prison reentry programming has been tailored to men. In Florida, only 14% of women have access to programming. This is compounded by the fact that over 80% of incarcerated women suffer the untreated effects of childhood sexual trauma, domestic violence and addiction as well as trauma experienced while incarcerated. Following incarceration and due to the society-driven label of "felon," these women are excluded from safety net programs and options for work. Furthermore, the majority of formerly incarcerated women are mothers of children under the age of 18 and have sole custody. These women are often the primary caregivers for their children.
LEAP is the only provider in the state of Florida that provides a prison to community continuum of care that includes:
In-Prison Education: Programming includes entrepreneurial training, workforce readiness, financial literacy, life skills, post-release planning, and trauma-informed addiction. LEAP graduates two classes and an average of 50 women per year.
Employment and Job Training after Release: Post-release, LEAP provides a paid retail training internship at our social enterprise Dragonfly Thrift Boutique, located in Little Havana. This program not only provides a crucial first paycheck but also critical job training and lessons in invaluable soft skills the women can take with them once they leave our program. In response to the pandemic, LEAP launched a 12-week virtual entrepreneurship course available for free to any woman who has ever experienced incarceration.
Housing: LEAP now has two transition houses in Miami which provide housing for up to 12 graduates. Residents of the LEAP House receive wrap-around services that include addiction programming and medical care.

Mission

LEAP empowers women who have experienced incarceration through transformational opportunities and advocacy. Our vision is for every woman who has experienced incarceration and who is committed to change to have the opportunity and tools to achieve her full potential.

Organization Data

Summary

Organization name

Ladies Empowerment & Action Program

Tax id (EIN)

27-0193483

Address

3141 SW 8th Street Suite A
Miami, FL 33135

Phone

786-401-2070