Last November, 14 women who are incarcerated at Minnesota Correctional Facility–Shakopee celebrated their graduation from Sisters Helping Sisters! Their hard work during the 12-week program resulted in tremendous personal growth, preparing them to successfully transition back to community in the coming months.
Sisters Helping Sisters combines group sessions with one-on-one planning to provide a foundation for women to build healthy relationships, strengthen their sense of self-worth, and overcome the obstacles they will face upon reentry. 100 percent of the graduates stated that they are now more confident in their ability to achieve their goals. The quotes and stories below illustrate the impact that this program offers and remind us that these women are not separate from community—they are part of it.
Their reflections offer a powerful glimpse into the impact:
- “I had no idea about healthy boundaries or co-dependency and the role it played in my life. Now I understand it, and I can apply it to my life.”
- “I am still changing my life for the better, even in here, so I can go home and be a better person and mom. I’m not just a 6-digit number.”
- “Being kinder and compassionate to myself. Loving and forgiving myself. Laughing more.”
At its core, Sisters Helping Sisters is about relationships. Healing happens in the safety of community, through being seen, heard, and treated with dignity. These women are not outside of community. They are part of it, and they matter deeply to it.
- “Always make small, obtainable goals to not overwhelm myself.”
- “Meeting Lisa changed everything. She helped me understand healthy boundaries.”
- Graduates left with renewed purpose and the confidence to return home as stronger mothers, friends, neighbors, and leaders.
- “I am more hopeful about my future and how to help others with compassion, grace, and mercy.”
- “Now I get a second chance to do better and make better decisions.”
Sisters Helping Sisters is one of the many ways Amicus walks alongside women during transition and transformation—rooted in the belief that belonging and dignity create real possibility.