• Asha Women of Color “Sister Circles”: Since 1989, Sister Circle groups provide a safe place for survivors to exchange ideas and experiences by helping to eliminate fears and foster feelings of friendship, respect, sisterhood and trust between women. Sister Circle groups are for all women particularly those of color. Performed in the community and within women’s prisons, members receive tools and skills to heal and liberate from childhood and adult trauma. Women receive domestic abuse and sexual assault information and education, safety planning, intimate partner and sex related issues education; HIV/AIDS and other STD’s education, information and referral, systems advocacy and case management services tailored to the individual and her family. Services are via peer-support and certified and licensed staff. Transportation to and from group can be arranged.

• Our Children Advocacy Project (OCAP): Since 1990, provides services on site and at area schools. OCAP provides direct services, advocacy, and support for children who witness or experience domestic abuse. OCAP’s goal is to break the isolation of children who experience violence in the home; to teach children and youth how to protect themselves by developing safety and support systems; promotes emotional and physical health as well as strengthening self-esteem.

• Ujima Men’s Educational Program: Since 1995, this 24-week batterer/abuser treatment program developed by and for African American men is specifically geared toward African American men who are experiencing problems with expressions of anger, conflict resolution and physical violence towards a partner. Men receive domestic abuse and sexual assault education, information and education on intimate partner relationships and sex related issues including HIV/AIDS and other STD education, information and referral. Ujima offers: day, evening and weekend groups. Costs are based on a sliding fee scale.

• The Fatherhood Initiative. This project entitled “Brother to Brother: Fatherhood and Responsibility”, is a resource designed for self, character and relationship development for African American men. With education, training and support for healing between African American males, their women, children, families and community. Individuals find guidance, information, education, spiritual development and a camaraderie which fosters a sense of respect, brotherhood and accountability and trust between men of the same group ancestry.

• Ujima Jr., for teens: this 16 week group is an “Alternative to Aggression” course for African American males age 13-17. The curriculum addresses emotional competence, including the expression, understanding and regulation of emotions such as anger, as well as alternative thinking strategies. Drugs, criminal behaviors, sex-related issues, HIV/AIDS and other STD education, referral and relationship and abusive behaviors are addressed.

• Victim Services and Case management: Since 1990, trained domestic and sexual violence prevention advocates provide intense supportive services with case management and systems advocacy for individuals and families who need assistance in accessing a variety of community services and supports. Advocates/Case managers assist in developing an individualized safety plan for all family members, and monitor the plan progress and client’s efforts in using community and agency services to meet their needs. These services are often performed in-home.

• Corrections Care Continuum (CCC): CCC Since 1990, provides comprehensive services to male and female offenders incarcerated in correctional facilities. In-custody groups incorporate cognitive intervention and spirituality. Groups offer tools and skill building as well as provide transition case management services, support and mentoring for those released and re-entering the community. Domestic, sexual and dating violence and relationship development education groups are conducted regularly in prisons with men. Services are set up that support a smoother transition for men who are returning to their family and community. CCC extends as a community-based after-care including Relapse prevention and Case management.

• Asha’s Light Transitional Housing Program: Transitional Housing for survivors of domestic violence, sexual violence, stalking and dating violence who are homeless or face homelessness due to violence and abuse. Survivors and their children stay in individual, private living units for up to 24 months. Asha’s Light , provides private living units for victims and their minor children coupled with an array of support services and mentoring that wrap women and their children in a continuum of care and healing. Through a liberating process that is spiritually-based and holistic, women are supported, mentored, educated, empowered and trained to take care of themselves and family. Activities include: Safety Planning, Case Management, Healing activities, on-the-job training, Career Planning and development, Daily living & home and family management, Sister Circle Support Groups, Sexual Health information; alcohol and other drug prevention, Women’s Health screens and education, Parenting/Nurturing, Anger Management and Budgeting and Finance.

• * Sistahs’ Cafe and Sistahs’ Boutique: Nail and Hail Salon Sistahs Café is a quaint, non-profit, community-based cyber café that serves as a key element in Employment Readiness and placement, job skill building on Excellence in Customer Service. Sistahs’ is operated by women survivors in the project along with others to provide sustainability for the project and job training and development. All proceeds from the business ventures go directly back into this program.

Community Education/Training. Inter-personal violence training and education. For educators/schools, churches, correctional personnel, social service agencies and other organizations and businesses on the issues of domestic/sexual and dating violence and cultural competency in working with African American populations.

Asha Family Services, Inc., is supported by:

The State of Wisconsin-DHFS - BCF, The City of Milwaukee-CDBG, Milwaukee County, U.S. Dept of Justice/OVW; U.S. DHHS Office on Women’s Health, and Private contracts and donations.

We are……BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING TO OTHERS.