The Women’s Project Awarded Grant from the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services to Provide Alternatives and Services to Women Facing Pre-Trial Detention and Incarceration

New York, NY (December 11, 2023) –The Women’s Project—a member of The Fedcap Group’s Wildcat Service Corporation—has been awarded $1.4 million by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) to provide 60 women annually with an alternative to pretrial detention and incarceration, focusing on connecting women with housing, behavioral health treatment, education, job opportunities, and government benefits to put these individuals on a path to economic sustainability and out of the criminal justice system. The award is for 15 months with the potential for renewal for up to three years.

“We know that ATI programs, such as this one, give justice-involved New Yorkers the life-changing opportunities and services they need to better their lives, which has a positive ripple effect on families and communities,” said DCJS Commissioner Rossana Rosado.  “We are proud to advance this nation-leading effort to increase public safety and help more women succeed.
We thank Governor Kathy Hochul for providing DCJS with unprecedented resources to promote these evidence-based approaches.”

The Women’s Project was created in 2017 under Wildcat Services Corporation to meet a dramatic need in offering holistic solutions aimed at reducing the population of women and gender-nonconforming individuals in Rikers Island jail and New York State prisons. The dedicated and trained staff at The Women’s Project provides comprehensive care coordination services, court support, and wellness programming designed specifically for the unique needs
of the community it serves.

“Because of the significant investment by New York State, the Women’s Project will be able to provide an innovative program to provide alternatives to incarceration for dozens of women, allowing economic and family stability,” said Kate McMahon, Senior Director of the Women’s Project. “We appreciate the support of Governor Kathy Hochul, DCJS Commissioner Rossana Rosado, and the state legislature.”

The Women’s Project is one of nine new programs awarded funding under a $6.3 million increase in funding through DCJS, which is currently administering roughly $24 million to support Alternatives to Incarceration.

“The merger with The Fedcap Group has enabled Wildcat’s The Women’s Project to broaden the size and scope of programs and services offered,” said Peter Samuels, former Wildcat Board chair and current member of The Fedcap Group Board. “With the significant investment by New York State, we will now be able to expand the program’s reach to more individuals as well as offer a wider range of programs, career tracks, and job opportunities.”

This substantial investment by New York State marks a pivotal moment for Wildcat Service Corporation and The Women’s Project, underscoring their commitment to transforming lives and communities impacted by the criminal legal system.

Gene Waddy, current Wildcat Board chair, stated, “Wildcat’s history has laid the groundwork for an extraordinary future. As we continue to provide quality services, we anticipate substantial growth and an even greater impact in the coming years.”

For more information about Wildcat Service Corporation and The Women’s Project, please visit https://wildcatnyc.org/womensproject/.
Contact:
For The Fedcap Group, Jim Malatras, 212-727-4200,JMalatras@fedcap.org
About Wildcat Service Corporation

Wildcat Service Corporation, founded in 1972, is a trailblazing organization dedicated to providing employment and support services to individuals impacted by the criminal legal system. Through innovative programs like The Women’s Project, Wildcat aims to break barriers and create opportunities for those seeking to rebuild their lives. Wildcat Service Corporation, a pioneering organization dedicated to empowering individuals impacted by the criminal legal system, is proud to announce a significant milestone in its efforts to support marginalized communities.

About The Fedcap Group

For 87 years, The Fedcap Group has developed scalable, innovative, and disruptive solutions to some of society’s most pressing needs. Serving 340,000 people this past fiscal year, The Fedcap
Group provides educational services to every age group, vocational training, and job attainment in high-growth industries, as well as support services such as behavioral health services—all targeted to helping people achieve long-term self-sufficiency. The Fedcap Group also invests its time and resources in broader system change—working in partnership with federal, state, and local government to improve the way services are designed, funded, and delivered.

About the Women’s Project

The Women’s Project is a community whose collective work serves as an alternative to pre-trial detention and incarceration. We marry legal advocacy, education and service provision to transform the existing culture in our criminal courts and permanently decrease the number of women detained in our city jails and state prisons. We provide holistic, integrative, culturally competent, and person-centered services to assist women in returning to court and
participating in their defense. We are a community of shared expertise and experience. We believe in the power of individual agency and collective engagement. Women come to our space to learn, to grow, and to gather support. We aim to create the space and stop the noise that often prevents women from finding their  individual power—the power that will help them to live the lives they want and make their dreams real, no matter what challenges await.

About DCJS

The Division of Criminal Justice Services provides critical support to all facets of the state’s criminal justice system, including, but not limited to: training law enforcement and other criminal justice professionals; overseeing a law enforcement accreditation program; ensuring Breathalyzer and speed enforcement equipment used by local law enforcement operate correctly; managing criminal justice grant funding; analyzing statewide crime and program data;
providing research support; overseeing county probation departments and alternatives to incarceration programs; and coordinating youth justice policy. Follow DCJS on Facebook,
Instagram and Twitter.