Ladies Empowerment And Action Program Inc

LEAP IS DEDICATED TO HELPING INCARCERATED WOMEN TRANSCEND THEIR PAST. OUR GOAL IS TO PROVIDE GRADUATES WITH THE TOOLS AND SUPPORT NECESSARY TO SUSTAIN THEMSELVES POST-RELEASE BY ESTABLISHING THEIR OWN SMALL BUSINESS OR OBTAINING EMPLOYMENT. THE EFFORTS MADE BY LEAP HELP TO REJUVINATE THE LOCAL WORKFORCE, LESSEN THE STRAIN ON LOCAL RESOURCES, HELP REDUCE CRIME IN OUR COMMUNITIES AND REDUCE RECIDIVISM.WE ARE THE ONLY NON-PROFIT AGENCY IN ALL OF FLORIDA TO FOCUS ON WOMEN IN PRISON USING A HOLISTIC ENTREPRENEURSHIP MODEL.

THE DRAGONFLY THRIFT BOUTIQUE SELLS DONATED ITEMS AND ALL PROCEEDS BENEFIT THE LEAP PROGRAM.THE DRAGONFLY THRIFT BOUTIQUE IS GROUND ZERO FOR OUR RETAIL INTERNSHIP, WHERE LEAP GRADUATES CAN EARN AN INCOME. WE OFFER A 6 MONTH PAID RETAIL TRAINING PROGRAM FOR WOMEN RECENTLY RELEASED FROM PRISON. IN ADDITION TO TRAINING AND AN IMMEDIATE SOURCE OF INCOME, THEIR EMPLOYMENT AT THE THRIFT STORE IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO EARN A POSITIVE JOB REFERENCE FOR FUTURE EMPLOYMENT.

LEAP HAS PROVIDED TRANSFORMATIONAL EDUCATION, ENTREPRENEURIAL TRAINING AND MENTORSHIP TO WOMEN DURING AND AFTER PRISON SINCE 2009.LEAP IS THE FIRST OF IT'S KIND RE-ENTRY PROGRAM FOR WOMEN OPERATING THE FLORIDA PRISON SYSTEM, AND THE ONLY ENTREPRENEURSHIP BASED PROGRAM DEDICATED TO PREPARING INCARCERATED WOMEN TO RE-ENTER SOCIETY. LEAP RUNS 2 CLASSES PER YEAR, EACH ONE LASTING 5 MONTHS WITH 250+ HOURS OF COURSEWORK IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP, COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY AND TRAUMA INFORMED SUBSTANCE ABUSE. THE INMATES ARE TAUGHT TO CREATE A SMALL BUSINESS, WITH MODULES THAT INCLUDE MARKETING STRATEGIES, PREPARING A BUSINESS PLAN, DAILY BUSINESS MANAGEMENT AND FINANCING. ADDITIONALLY, PARTICIPANTS RECEIVE EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS CLASSES AND COLLABORATE WITH THE CASE MANAGER TO CREATE EXIT PLANS FOR RE-ENTRY INTO THE COMMUNITY. THIS PORTION OF THE PROGRAM INCLUDES RESUME PREPARATION, JOB SEARCH SKILLS/TIPS, CASE STUDIES AND ROLE PLAYING. ADDITIONALLY, LIFE SKILLS TRAINING SUCH AS PARENTING, GOAL SETTING AND DECISION MAKING ARE CRITICAL COMPONENTS OF THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE. THE CLASSROOM INSTRUCTIONS AND MATERIALS ARE DESIGNED TO FOSTER A SPIRIT OF INDEPENDENCE AND INITIATIVE. LEAP'S TARGET POPULATION IS INCARCERATED WOMEN WITHIN 1 YEAR OF RELEASE. THE PROGRAM IS PRESENTED AT HOMESTEAD CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION IN FLORIDA CITY, FLORIDA.UPON RELEASE, LEAP CONTINUES TO STRENGTHEN OUR PROGRAMMING BY PROVIDING EMPLOYMENT, HOUSING AND A CONTINUUM OF CARE AND SERVICES FROM PRISON FOR UP TO TWO YEARS POST-RELEASE.

AFTER RELEASE PROGRAM-TO HELP WITH THE RE-ENTRY PROCESS LEAP EMPLOYS THE SERVICES OF A CASE MANAGER WHO WORKS WITH THE PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS IN ORDER TO ASSESS AND IDENTIFY NEEDS AND RESOURCES NEEDED POST RELEASE. IN THE POST-INCARCERATION PERIOD, THE CASE MANAGER FOLLOWS UP WITH THE LEAP GRADUATES. LEAP PROVIDES SUPPORT IN THE AREA OF HOUSING, BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS, FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AND LIFE SKILLS. LEAP ALSO ACTS AS A "BRIDGE" TO MULTIPLE RESOURCES AND SERVICE PROVIDERS SUPPORTING RE-ENTRY. THESE INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, HOUSING,TRANSPORTATION,MICRO-FINANCING,CONTINUING EDUCATION,CLOTHING,HEALTH,AND SOCIAL SERVICES. THIS SUPPORT CONTINUES FOR A PERIOD OF AT LEAST ONE YEAR AFTER RELEASE. BEYOND THAT POINT,GRADUATES STAY INVOLVED AS LEAP VOLUNTEERS.