The Burg: Maddie Gittens - September 20, 2022
While Rev. Michelle Simmons was helping formerly incarcerated women in Philadelphia, she saw a need for the same services in Harrisburg.
After realizing that need, she decided to expand her nonprofit Why Not Prosper to Allison Hill. On Tuesday, Simmons and local officials cut the ribbon on the new re-entry housing and program.
“The support in Harrisburg has been overwhelming,” she said. “We are super excited about the women that are going to be living here.”
Simmons opened Why Not Prosper in Philadelphia in 2001, as a place for women re-entering society after prison to find safe housing, employment, counseling and other support services.
The new Harrisburg location, at 240 S. 13th St., will offer the same programming.
According to Simmons, the building offers living space for up to 35 women who typically live onsite for six months to a year. There will also be a job training center in the building with computers. They plan to open the facility to women in mid-October.
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