 [ photo: Michelle Gienow Baltimore City Paper]
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Our Story
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... Our Vision ...
Power Inside seeks safety, dignity and justice for women and families in Baltimore. Social change that ends gender violence and all forms of oppression is necessary to make our vision a reality.
... Our Mission ...
Power Inside is a multidisciplinary program that is committed to building self-sufficiency and preventing incarceration among women and families in Baltimore through direct client services, advocacy, leadership development and public education.
... Our History ...
Power Inside was founded in May 2001 by Jacqueline Robarge. We began as an all volunteer program offering women's empowerment groups in the city jail in Baltimore. Over 2001 and 2002 Power Inside's members built the foundation for a strong support network rooted in sisterhood and self-advocacy. Our groups in the jail grew in size and number, serving as many as 50 women per week. In 2002 the founder received an OSI Community Fellowship Award. The OSI Fellowship made the expansion of services and advocacy beyond the jail possible. In 2003 Power Inside blossomed, a community support group, a public office, a speakers bureau and advocacy. Fusion Partnerships, Inc. a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization began hosting Power Inside increasing our administrative capacity. A street outreach component was added to assist women who return to homelessness after release from jail. In 2005, we released the results of a first ever needs assessment of women in the city jail, in collaboration with the Department of Public Safety and Johns Hopkins University. Now 2008, our work includes: street-based community health outreach; group and individual interventions with incarcerated women; daytime drop-in resources and; research, public education and advocacy to expand community-wide access to health and treatment services. We serve more than 300 women per year. Power Inside is frequently called upon to provide technical assistance to city, state, and nonprofit entities that wish to make their services more accessible and effective. In addition to direct client services, we engage in advocacy, leadership development and public education to work toward systemic change.
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