RAW provides an alternative pathway of reintegration to a life free of crime, addiction and dependency on the state for a group of recidivist female offenders with complex needs who require additional support on release from prison through education, employment, coaching and re-connection with their children. Technology is now an important part of everyday life and for women who have been incarcerated for a long period this can be quite daunting to come to terms with on release. By providing access to computers at multiple sites i.e. the office, incubator homes, store and training room, we are finding the women who are more comfortable with technology are taking the time to teach those that are not how to use a computer. RAW is subsequently seeing greater self-motivation from the women to learn and give back to each other.
While the women quickly adapt to smart devices like mobile phones, many of them have historically had limited access to use a computer and the tools commonly needed for study and employment. Access to a computer in the incubator home has made completion of course assignments much easier. At the RAW Store the women use the computer to learn more about the internet and emailing and get comfortable with these 2 tools most of us take for granted. The RAW store serves as an initial reintegration base for when the women first arrive and reconnecting with the digital world is a big part of the reintegration process. Indirectly, the support and donation of resources like these computers has led to the overall delivery of RAW’s service.
RAW received the Not For Profit Award 2017 at the Westpac Waikato Business Awards. The generosity of corporate sponsors is an important part of the funding pool that allows RAW to do the work it does with these women. RAW is also starting to see the impact on the next generation, the children of the women, as their mothers inspire them to dream big. Only by supporting the mothers to reintegrate into a life they love will the cycle of crime and violence be broken. To date 20 families have been positively impacted by RAW’s work.
The October newsletter was focused on employment http://www.raw.org.nz/october-newsletter-2017-raw-women-at-work/ . Indirectly, the support and donation of resources like these computers has led to the overall delivery of RAW’s service. RAW has received the Not For Profit Award on 3 November 2017 at the Westpac Waikato Business Awards.
As the model grows we will continue to need technology support - the women in study are all seeking laptops, and new incubator homes will need more computers. As RAW is a charity, it has no fixed income. The generosity of corporate sponsors are an important part of the funding pool that allows RAW to do the work it does with these women.
