SELF! Supports Women Reentering the Lehigh Valley
SELF! is a nonprofit based in Allentown that is dedicated to supporting women after incarceration and other traumatic circumstances. The nonprofit offers resources, guidance, and a safe space for women to rebuild their lives and self reliance. With help from United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley’s Fund for Racial Justice and Equity (FRJE) grant, SELF! is working tirelessly to ensure that no woman is left behind.
SELF! stands for “strongly embracing life’s future,” and its mission is clear: no human life is disposable. SELF! offers a stable living environment through its Allentown-based transitional housing, where women receive a wide range of supportive services, from job assistance to family reunification.
“Our approach is to address the whole person,” said the co-founder of SELF! “Whether it’s providing social services, connecting with family, or securing a stable income, we want these women to know they’re supported every step of the way. We want them to feel empowered and valued because they’re an important part of our community.”
SELF!’s work is far-reaching, covering everything from basic needs to long-term stability. With the support of the FRJE grant, SELF! has been able to expand its programs, including:
- Case Management Services: Upon release, SELF! connects women with a retired public assistance worker who assists them in securing essential benefits such as food stamps, medical assistance, and mental health services. This ensures their immediate needs are met, laying a foundation for long-term success.
- Journal Writing Workshops: SELF! also offers workshops to help women process their thoughts and emotions. Run by a former Allentown School District teacher, these sessions have revealed instances of illiteracy and provided opportunities to teach women reading and writing skills.
- Community Engagement and Education: The nonprofit actively participates in community events and partnerships. SELF! joins forces with organizations like Unidos and Operation Address the Homeless to extend its reach. These collaborations help ensure women have access to necessary resources and opportunities to give back to the community.
SELF!’s annual event is the Angel Tree Program, which provides holiday gifts to children whose parents are incarcerated. This community-driven event seeks to ensure children feel valued and loved, giving them a joyful, festive experience that many might otherwise miss. Each child receives a bag of presents, along with a message from their parent, helping maintain that essential bond between parent and child.
With the support of the FRJE grant, SELF! can continue its mission of providing vital reentry services to women and creating pathways to stable, successful futures. SELF!’s commitment to education, empowerment and community collaboration exemplifies the impact that focused reentry services can have on individuals and their families.
“When someone is incarcerated, it’s not just them who are impacted—it’s their whole family. We’re here to support that transition, one step at a time.”
SELF! is a testament to what’s possible when communities unite to uplift and empower one another. Through partnerships and programs like the FRJE grant, United Way and its community partners invest in a brighter, more inclusive future for all.
United Way awarded the following local organizations with grants ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 through the FRJE:
- Cohesion Network
- Epoch Tribe
- Financial Literacy Center of the Lehigh Valley
- Fine Feather Foundation Inc.
- Global Hope International
- Greater Community Development Corp.
- InnaStar
- Juneteenth Lehigh Valley
- Lycan Media
- LatinosARE
- Lehigh Valley Black Church Housing Alliance
- Light on the Horizon
- Mother2Mother Inc.
- Movement Moves Media
- Resurrected Community Development Inc.
- SELF!
- The Rilyc
- The Rising Sun Initiative
- The Thrive Hub Inc.
- Unidos Inc.
- Vet Beds
Grant funding is made possible thanks to partners and donors who directed their support to the Fund for Racial Justice and Equity, including PPL Foundation, Crayola, Behr, Martin Guitar Charitable Foundation, Truist, Lehigh Valley Community Foundation and United Way Women United.
Learn more about United Way and the FRJE grant program by visiting our Fund for Racial Justice and Equity page.
