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Our
History |
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Mission
Statement: |
ARCA, Inc. is a private, non-private organization founded in 2005. Originally, its purpose was to provide halfway house services to women as they were released from Ohio prisons. ARCA, Inc. began its work with female ex-offenders in 1996, as part of Goodwill Industries of Greater Cleveland, Inc. The halfway house was the brainchild of Gladys Hall, Goodwill’s former executive director, and from its inception was supported and funded by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction.
Hall created the program in response to the many challenges that women experience upon being released form prison, many of whom without guidance or support, re-offend and are returned to prison. The goal of the program was and continues to be the reduction in the recidivism rate among female offenders. At the same time, there was a great concern over the destruction of the family, since the children of incarcerated women are generally placed in foster care and in many cases these women are unable to regain custody of their children upon their release. Other factors of concern in building this program were the need to address the devastating criminal effects of the victimization and exploitation of women through sexual and emotional abuse. The program also concerned itself with substance abuse, undiagnosed or misdiagnosed mental illness of women who have been incarcerated but inadequately or inappropriately treated; the impact of substance abuse on criminal behavior; chronic unemployment, and the need for these women to stop their dependence on others and learn to take care of themselves…tall orders for women who have been badly broken by life.
The halfway house is located in East Cleveland, Ohio. In 2005, as a result of the closing of Goodwill Industries of Greater Cleveland, the halfway house and its program's name changed to ARCA Inc., which provides a clearer understanding of the program and its goals; however, nothing else about the program changed. The halfway house has consistently been under the direction and leadership of its founder Gladys V. Hall, President and CEO. Ms. Hall holds a Master of Arts Degree in Corrections.
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