My Sister's Keeper ushers formerly incarcerated women back into society by providing a comprehensive prevention program to help them avoid old habits and environments. The program received its first referral in March 1992.

The objective of the program is to serve as a viable and visible Human & Supportive Services entity that aids formerly incarcerated women in positively reintegrating into society.

The services provided by MSK include the following: Individual and Group Counseling, Drug Education, Relapse Prevention, Domestic Violence, Life Skills, Parenting and Job Readiness Training, Cultural Enrichment Activities and opportunities to Volunteer and give back to the community.

We receive referrals via the courts, linkages with shelters, other agencies, i.e., HRDI, South Suburban Council, Cornell Interventions, etc. The demographics of the program participants are as follows:

• All of the clients are female.
• Approximately 97% are African American, 2% Caucasian & 1% Hispanic.
• Over 75% are single (never married).
• The ages serviced are 18 to 60 and the average age is 39.
• The clients' average number of children is 3. The program participants reside in the County of Cook.
• Since its inception in 1992, the program has provided services to over 1,500 formerly incarcerated females and an infinite number of counseling hours (by our Intake staff) to the detainees inside of Cook County Jail.
• As of June 30, 2005 we had serviced 53 women for the year 2005. The New Intakes for the past 3 years are as follows: 2002=96, 2003=100, 2004=98