Program Purpose

The Jail Services program at Friends Outside provides services inside the County jails to help maintain links between prisoners and the outside world. By providing these services we help prisoners take care of their problems, ease tensions inside the jail, and make much needed referrals to programs inside the jail and in the community. Staff and volunteers go to the jail 3 to 4 times a week to deliver books, glasses, sign notaries and do pro-per tasks.

Program Goals

The goals of the Jail Services Program is to advocate for inmates serving in the County jails and to provide a much needed link to the outside world, particularly with their families.

Services Provided

• Cashing payroll checks (we do not cash welfare, personal, disability or E.D.D. checks)
• Arranging for court ordered releases in family emergencies
• Arranging the payment of bills (if the inmate has funds)
• Checking on court dates
• Delivery of Books
• Locating property
• Contacting parole/probation officers
• Notary
• Giving information on marriages/divorces
• Filing papers in court
• Photocopying of legal papers
• Providing paperback books
• Providing clothing for jury trials

Impact

• Last year, over 4,000 prisoners were provided with services.
• Without our services, many family members would be forced to pay lawyers expensive fees to get through the barriers incarceration creates. Our services are offered free of charge.

Program Purpose

In the United States today, 7 out of 10 people in State prison had a close family member in jail or prison when they were growing up. Children of incarcerated parents are 5 to 6 times more likely than other children to become delinquent. The children in the Friends Outside Youth Program are at high risk of becoming involved with the Criminal Justice System. The Youth Program strives to break that cycle of intergenerational incarceration by providing a variety of programs and services that keep youth in school and out of trouble.

Program Goals

• Advocate for youth impacted by incarceration.
• Provide mentorship, stability and positive role models.
• Empower youth to believe in themselves, their abilities and their potential.
• Encourage academic success.
• Foster positive relationships with their teachers, parents and peers.
• Increase coping skills.
• Develop stronger communication skills.
• Reduce school drop out rates.
• Build self-esteem.

Services Provided

• School Advocacy
• After-school tutoring
• Summer Camps
• Girl Scouts
• Mentoring

The Youth Department at Friends Outside is funded by Kids to Camp, San Jose B.E.S.T., H.N.V.F, The Lucile Packard Foundation for Children’s Health and individual donations.

Program Purpose

Incarceration places the entire family at risk. The remaining spouse and children suffer shame, a sense of loss, and frequently family income is drastically reduced. Necessities such as clothing, food and supplies are often beyond the reach of limited budgets. The first time the family has experienced incarceration, there is confusion and embarrassment. Incarceration, unlike other catastrophes that happen, is not seen by society as a situation that deserves compassion. Our Family Services Department is the only place where families in this situation came come to for help and not feel judged.

Program Goals

• Stabilize the family unit.
• Provide resources and skills.
• Connect families to community resources.
• Support the family, particularly the remaining parent, so that they can be there for their children.
• Reduce stress and tension.

Services Provided

• Emergency food pantry.
• Household items.
• Clothes.
• Personal hygiene supplies.
• Grandmothers & Caregivers Support Group.
• Parenting Classes.
• Adopt-A-Family Program
• Referrals.

Through this program family infrastructure is supported and solidified. Stress and tension in the family is eased and basic needs are met.

Content coming soon.

Program Purpose

The Steps Ahead program at Friends Outside in Santa Clara County provides in-home visitation services to children ages 0-5 and their caregivers who have been impacted by incarceration. Family Development Partners visit families in their homes once per week, or as needed, providing caregivers the tools and encouragement to be aware of their children’s developmental needs, promote early literacy skills and school readiness and set goals towards self-sufficiency. In addition, staff provides a variety of parenting classes and workshops throughout the year.

Program Goals

• Develop partnerships with families for the purpose of assessing its strengths and needs.
• Empower parents to promote child’s strengths.
• Promote early literacy and preschool-readiness.
• Teach parents about their child’s development.
• Coach parents in positive parenting techniques.
• Encourage families to use resources in the community as stepping stones to reach their goals.
• Assist families in restoring their sense of responsibility and self-reliance.

Services Provided

• Weekly home visits to caregivers and their children designed to assist families in developing a family plan that identifies goals and strategies.
• Celebrating Families! Groups for families affected by substance abuse.
• Weekly class at Broadway High School as part of Young Families program.
• Crisis prevention, intervention and follow-up.
• Assistance with community resources in areas such as: housing, employment, domestic violence, mental health, nutrition, health and substance abuse.
• Family field trips.
• Long term follow-up and aftercare.

How We’re Helping

• Steps Ahead served 525 families last year with home visitation, parent and family workshops, crisis intervention and resource linkage.
• Steps Ahead prides itself in creating a variety of partnerships in the community to deliver quality programming. Some of our partners are Gardner Family Care, EMQ, Alum Rock Counseling Center, Grail family Services and Sacred Heart
• Steps Ahead is made possible through funding from Santa Clara County Social Services and FIRST 5 of Santa Clara County.