Hello and welcome to the website of Greenhope Services for Women, Inc.

Greenhope, located in East Harlem, New York, has been serving women involved in the criminal justice system for over twenty-eight years. Most treatment programs, founded twenty-eight years ago, were being developed for men only, but Greenhope was visionary and understood that the new drug laws would have a dramatically adverse affect upon women. Indeed, since that time women's imprisonment has increased tenfold. Today Greenhope is one of the most comprehensive woman-centered alternative to incarceration programs in the state of New York and in the country. We serve 62 women in residence, 70 in out-patient services and over 200 women annually.

At Greenhope, we help women involved in the criminal justice system to reclaim and rebuild their lives - which means getting sober, staying out of prison, finding work and housing and mending broken relationships with their children

The women of Greenhope will be the first to tell you that they got into trouble by being a follower. In fact, most of the women who come through our doors followed a man into the criminal justice system. 90% are non-violent drug offenders, and 70% are mothers who no longer have access to their children. On the whole, they are victims of untold physical, emotional and sexual abuse from early childhood on into their adult years, which by that time a fair percentage of their wounds are self-inflicted.

At Greenhope, we create a safe environment where women can and must come to terms with themselves and move forward. Greenhope has a uniquely woman-centered treatment approach that differs from many treatment philosophies in the field. Where many programs espouse the necessity to break a client down in order to build him/her back up, Greenhope holds that the women who come to us are already broken down. That's why they are with us. They have made mistakes. We hold them accountable, but we also know that, despite very tough exteriors, they are extremely fragile. They've been to the bottom, but they are still alive and now they are reaching out to live life abundantly against some very heavy odds.

Their self esteem has been badly beaten. Many don't believe that they deserve another chance. But we know that they do - and we also know that their children need them. Greenhope women are survivors. I call them my warrior women.

Our new residence for which Greenhope is seeking your support will house the very same women who are now residing in the present site. We have outgrown that site quadrupling our clientele in the last four years. The only addition will be 30 children (ages 0-5) who will now be able to come into treatment with their mothers rather than be placed into the foster care system. Greenhope has been a renter for 27 years and now with the exponential increase in rent in Harlem, we are seeking the opportunity to own our own building thereby ensuring that our services will always be available for the women and children that need them.

I hope that you will have the opportunity to view our short video wherein various supporters of Greenhope go on record to speak to our effectiveness. Visit also the remarkable success stories of our alumnae association. I know that from these testimonies you will be inspired to join us in our mission to reclaim lives and to restore families.

Greenhope is often the last resort for women…and by extension for their children. During their sojourn with us, the hope that is temporarily displaced within them is painstakingly restored. As a result, they want so much more than mere survival now. The women of Greenhope are choosing to live this life and to live it more abundantly and with your help, they are succeeding. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Dr. Anne R. Elliott
Executive Director