Alternative Program for Incarcerated Women Honors First Graduates
Family & Children’s Services and George Kaiser Family Foundation held a graduation ceremony July 21 in Tulsa for the first six participants who have completed the Women in Recovery (WIR) program. WIR is an alternative program to incarceration for nonviolent female offenders with alcohol and drug addictions in Tulsa County .
“I am grateful to organizations like George Kaiser Family Foundation for giving me, and every participant in the Women in Recovery program, a chance to live a new life,” said Kimberly Cummings, graduate of the program. “I appreciate the efforts of Tulsa County Court Systems, judges, probation and parole officers, district attorneys, public defenders and private attorneys for their commitment to justice, openness to alternative programming and willingness to see each woman as an individual.”
The program, which includes one year of intensive treatment, provides participants with assistance to successfully return to their families and communities.
“Our goal is to transform the lives of women, which ultimately alter the lives of hundreds of children and families in Oklahoma ,” said Mimi Tarrasch, director of WIR. “A personal thanks to the Tulsa community for their support. We would not be celebrating six success stories without their investment in the program.”
Ken Levit, executive director of George Kaiser Family Foundation and Judge Dana Kuehn addressed the women at the program, congratulating them on their achievement. George Kaiser, Rep. Kris Steele, Rep. Sue Tibbs, Sen. Patrick Anderson, Sen. Brian Crain, Commissioner Terri White, Tulsa City Councilman G.T. Bynum, district judges, representatives from the district attorney’s office and public defenders office, partnering agencies and volunteers also attended the celebration.
“On behalf of George Kaiser Family Foundation, we are proud to honor the graduates of Women in Recovery,” Levit said. “It has been a privilege to get to know them, work with them, learn from them and most importantly, change with them. We are thankful we get to celebrate this great milestone with them.”
About Women in Recovery
Women in Recovery (WIR) is an alternative to incarceration for nonviolent female offenders, that combines strict supervision with a comprehensive day treatment program. Services include comprehensive case management, supervised visitation with children, job search assistance, substance abuse treatment, employment and vocational training, housing placement, medical services, counseling and life skills training and community integration. For more information, please call (918) 560-1142.
Updated 07-23-2010
Back to Top
READER COMMENTS
Back to Top
Contact GTR News
