Women Initiating Success Envisioned Inc (WISE)

Women Initiating Success Envisioned Inc (WISE):  Grantee in 2022-23, and 2024

San Diego County provides more preparation and support for male convicts than female convicts.  Located in San Diego County where women are often paroled with no high school diploma, no money, no job, and no housing, WISE’s mission is to empower Formerly Incarcerated Women (FIW) to become self-sufficient and productive members of society post-incarceration. Facing these myriad challenges and barriers upon release makes reentry into society for FIW exceptionally difficult due to potentially limited legal options for even basic survival unless they receive critical support.

WISE works to minimize the danger of recidivism and provide these predominately African-American and Latinx women with the opportunity to turn their lives around by providing essential skills and counseling to help them fit into their communities post-incarceration. To achieve these goals, WISE assists them in studying for and acquiring their GED, provides the basic financial education and coaching critical to financial stability and managing life with a paycheck, and teaches them how to fill out a job application and secure references.  WISE has developed and maintains a significant roster of prospective employers open to hiring FIW. They match the women with employers, preparing them for the hiring process with resume writing and practice interviews. 

Many incarcerated women have children. WISE facilitates the unification process between women and their children, helping them work through the range of support and education essential to healthy and successful reunification. WISE helps give formerly incarcerated women a chance at a stable, fulfilling life after release.

For more information, see: https://www.nationalwise.org/