On Tuesday, 9/20/2022, The PROGRAM presented a community-based Housing Engagement Forum event featuring breakfast and a panel discussion focused on reducing housing barriers for individual involved with the criminal justice system. Held at Marketview Arts, The PROGRAM’s Housing Engagement Forum event drew more than 70 attendees that shared ideas and creative next steps for continuing to identify and reduce housing barriers faced by individuals return home from incarceration.
Master of Ceremonies Elaine Bonneau (Bonneau and Associates) guided the group discussion while Moderator Holly Zugay (Senior Financial Education Officer, Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency / PHFA) provided the panelists with engaging questions about the current state of housing opportunities for individuals involved with the criminal justice system. Housing Engagement Forum panelists included Joyce Santiago (Executive Director / President – Affordable Housing Advocates); Clair Doll (Executive Director of Human Services York County); Debbie Gable (Vice President of Resident Services HDC MidAtlantic); Bill Radziewicz (Successful Returning Citizen); and AliceAnne Frost (CEO – The Program, It’s About Change). The panelists made this event a huge success with their knowledge and advocacy for reducing housing barriers for reentrants.
The PROGRAM would like to offer a HUGE THANK YOU to the sponsors who made this event possible: our Bronze Level Sponsor, Members 1st Federal Credit Union; our table sponsors: UPMC, Family First Health, Affordable Housing Advocates, PA Health & Wellness, Bell Socialization Services, Inc., and Traditions Bank; and the venue sponsor: York College Center for Community Engagement. It is through the help of these sponsors and the participants of the Forum, that The PROGRAM and its panelists were able to discuss ways to reduce housing barriers for individuals involved with the criminal justice system.
