Justice & Child Welfare
Justice & Child Welfare
At Wesley Family Services, we work with the justice system and child welfare agencies to provide stability and support to individuals and families.
We believe that everyone deserves the support they need to be the best version of themselves. We work with children, adults, and families to provide resources and support for those involved in the child welfare and justice systems. Our goal is provide stability in the community, whether we are helping a child in need of a home or families with an incarcerated loved one, we are to help!
86%
of re-entry program participants were stable with drug and alcohol and mental health treatment if needed.
100%
of re-entry program participants achieved stable housing.
77%
of Families Outside participants felt closer to their incarcerated loved ones following their visits.
749
families are served each year through our juvenile justice and child welfare programs.
Success Stories: Jeraurd
Jeraurd was serving an 11-1/2 to 23 month sentence at the Allegheny County Jail for a violation of probation on a previous case of assault. This was his sixth time serving time in jail. A father to three children, he had an unstable relationship with the mother of his youngest child. He viewed himself negatively, the result of past traumatic events in his life. He was angry and rebellious, with a "me against the world" attitude. He didn't care about himself, his family, or others.
As the result of a suggestion from his lawyer, Jeraurd enrolled in Family Services of Western Pennsylvania's Re-Entry program at the jail. He wanted to change his life and get the help that he desperately needed. He attended a Battering Intervention class, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Parenting and Relationship classes provided by Family Services (now known as Wesley Family Services), and participated in phone calls and visits with his children. He completed machining classes to prepare for life after jail. He was doing everything he needed to do to become a better person. He wanted to be involved with as many services as he could and took advantage of as many programs as possible.
After release from non-reporting probation, Jeraurd began working at a restaurant in downtown Pittsburgh, but soon thereafter it closed. He didn't lose hope, however, and kept applying for jobs as a cook until he landed one. Because of his work ethic, he was promoted to Assistant Kitchen Manager in July of 2016. He now has his own apartment and is actively involved in the lives of his children.
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Success Stories: Alex
Alex came to Wesley Spectrum (now known as Wesley Family Services) when he was five. Placed in foster care at three months and adopted by his aunt and uncle as a toddler, he had been through more upheaval than any child should face. Diagnosed with developmental and behavioral challenges, he exhibited the aggression and fear that is common among children in similar situations. His adoptive father was ill and unable to work; his adoptive mother had recently lost her job.
Wesley Spectrum clinicians found that Alex was visually impaired with extreme photosensitivity. We reached out to the community and secured glasses and light-blocking curtains that his family could not afford. We pulled together case managers, doctors, and other professionals, and provided Alex’s adoptive parents with the therapeutic and family support services that they wanted and needed to help him through this difficult time.
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You can help by making a donation to Wesley Family Services or by learning more about becoming a foster parent!