Program Development
- I co-founded the ‘Teen Program’ at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility. Designed to build strong relationships between prison mothers and their teenage children this program provided visitation, transportation, monthly outings and also summer camps for the program teens. The program involved grant writing, fund-raising, volunteers, and initiated the development of college scholarships and college accredited speaking programs for the teens.
I founded the ‘Art Therapy Program’ at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility. This program became a component of the Family Violence Program, it involved art projects centered around abouse – domestic, physical and emotional. This program offered a safe and secure environment for the women to openly express their violent issues and experiences through art.- I facilitated a sixteen week ‘Parenting Program’ at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility. It was designed to teach women to become dedicated and emotionally capable parents during incarceration. A book of assignments, letters, and valuable reading materials was compiled by inmates. This program is now recognized and it is a paid module for inmates.
Vocational Skills
- Certified AIDS Counselor – I worked for the AIDS counseling and education program at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility. I instructed seminars on testing, transmission, clinical human response, and safe sex, and I cared for the patients infected with HIV / AIDS in the facility’s hospital wing. I was recertified each year at Bedford.
- Sign Language Translator – I acted as an interpreter for deaf and hearing impaired inmates. I was a translator for inmate programs, counselors, and inmate medical appointments.
- Teacher’s Aide – I tutored science, basic math, geography, and reading skills to assist women inmates preparing for the GED exam.
- Printing – I have received an apprenticeship in the field of lay-out, paste-up, and mechanical printing. Other skills include copy preparation, photography and dark room procedure, stripping and proofing, plate construction, offset press operations, screen printing, type-setting and bindery.
- Commercial Arts – This includes line drawing and composition, media techniques, mechanical prep and paste-up, and technical drawing.
- Industries Worker – I have received an asbestos abater’s license from The Department of Labor.
- Computer Repair – This includes basic analog electronics, computer math, computer disassembly and inspection.
- Building Maintenance – This includes carpentry, plumbing, tiling, and industrial painting.
- Cosmetology – This includes hair cutting, hair analysis, styling, permanent waving, manicuring, artificial nail application and pedicure.
