WORC PROGRAM (Women's Opportunity Resource Center) 175 Fulton Avenue, 4th Floor Hempstead, NY 11550 (516) 483-0336

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Purpose/Program Description: The WORC Program is an alternative to incarceration program for women offenders. This multi-service program’s goal is self-sufficiency and to prevent recidivism. EAC has been administering the WORC program since 1985. WORC is a comprehensive educational and vocational skills program which is especially designed for the female offender population. WORC is a full day on-site program consisting of computer skills training, business skills development, adult basic education, GED preparation, personal living skills development and counseling. Using a structured format, clients attend daily from 9:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. As clients progress they are placed in internships within WORC’s office which give them simulated work experience.
Other components of the program include: Referrals for community-based substance abuse treatment; Individualized counseling; workshops on nutrition, family life, health, relationships and cultural awareness; field trips for local cultural and educational experiences and guest speakers for relevant workshops. Regular program attendance is expected and the program conducts random supervised urinalysis to ensure drug-free participation.
WORC program activities also include outreach to the criminal justice system as well as weekly visits to the Nassau County Correctional Facility to address the female offender population, monitoring arraignment court, advocating for referred clients and submitting progress reports to appropriate criminal justice officials.

Program Impact/Outcomes: The WORC program offers Nassau County judiciary a true alternative to incarceration for female offenders. WORC breaks the cycle of recidivism for female offenders. WORC serves over 100 women annually and saves over $1.5 million above program costs in prison/jail savings, foster care placement savings and reduction in public assistance as a result of clients obtaining employment.

Outcomes of the WORC program:
Obtain General Equivalency Diploma (GED)
Maintain sobriety
Improve self-esteem (empowerment)
Job training, develop computer skills
Develop/improve parenting skills
Cultural awareness/develop life skills
Obtain Employment

Funding: The program is funded by the New York State Division of Probation and Correctional Alternatives (DPCA), New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), and the US Department of Justice.