Women's Prison Association

What Women's Prison Association does

Women's Prison Association (WPA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1845 in New York City, operating as the nation's first organization dedicated to serving women and gender-diverse individuals impacted by incarceration. WPA delivers gender-responsive, trauma-informed services across seven program areas: JusticeHome (the nation's first home-based alternative to incarceration program), community-based reentry programs, supportive housing, clinical mental health services, prison-based preventative health services at Bedford Hills and Taconic, the Survivor's Advocacy Project at Rikers Island, and family reunification programming. The organization's infrastructure includes the 72-unit permanent supportive housing facility The Rise in Brownsville, Brooklyn (opened 2025) and the 28-bed Sarah Powell Huntington House family shelter in Manhattan's East Village, with on-site service delivery also at the Rose M. Singer Center on Rikers Island. WPA served more than 500 women and gender-diverse people in the past year and employs 51–100 staff.

WPA's "technology" is its gender-responsive, trauma-informed care model — a clinical and operational framework rather than a software platform — supported by individualized wraparound case management, court advocacy, and evidence-based clinical modalities (TF-CBT, CBT, Seeking Safety, Motivational Interviewing). The organization has no disclosed APIs, SDKs, or AI capabilities and no digital product surface beyond its website, blog, email newsletter, and TikTok/Pinterest social channels used primarily for awareness and fundraising.

WPA's revenue model is a nonprofit mix of individual and corporate donations, government grants and contracts (notably NYC Department of Homeless Services for shelter operations and NY State Vital Brooklyn Initiative funding for The Rise), and event sponsorships and partnerships (Starling Tattoo, Books Are Magic, Catbird NYC, Edie Parker/Purlsoho, among others). Services are provided at no cost to eligible clients based on criminal legal system involvement and NYC residency. Distribution is direct-to-consumer through courts, defense attorneys, government referrals, partner agencies, and self-referral via website inquiry; WPA also distributes services on-site at correctional facilities and through its two housing facilities.

Name

Women's Prison Association

Legal name

Women's Prison Association

Website

https://wpaonline.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1845

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Women's Prison Association is a NYC-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded in 1845, that provides gender-responsive, trauma-informed programs — including alternatives to incarceration, supportive housing, clinical care, and reentry support — to justice-impacted women and gender-diverse individuals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social Services / Criminal Justice Reentry Services

NAICS

Community Housing Services (62422), Parole Offices and Probation Offices (922150), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Reentry & Justice-Involved Support Services (BPAGAEAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Reentry, Rehabilitation & Reintegration Programs (Education, Vocational, Case Management) (BPAKANAH), Community Corrections (Probation, Parole & Reentry) (BPAIAFAE), Forensic & Correctional Behavioral Health Services (HLAFACAM)

Keywords

• Alternatives to incarceration
• Supportive housing services
• Trauma-informed care
• Reentry support programs
• Criminal justice advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual and Corporate Donations: WPA receives donations from individual supporters and corporate partners who sponsor events and programs. The organization accepts one-time and recurring donations, matching gifts through employer programs, and workplace giving contributions.
2. Government Grants and Contracts: WPA receives funding through government contracts and grants, including partnerships with NYC Department of Homeless Services (DHS) for shelter operations, and other city and state agencies for program delivery.
3. Event Sponsorships and Partnerships: Corporate sponsorships for fundraising events and ongoing partnership arrangements with businesses that donate a percentage of sales or provide in-kind support.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Women's Prison Association provides direct social services to women and gender-diverse individuals impacted by incarceration, including home-based alternatives to incarceration (JusticeHome), community-based reentry supports, supportive housing through The Rise and Sarah Powell Huntington House, trauma-informed clinical mental health counseling, prison-based preventative health services, and the Rikers Island-based Survivor's Advocacy Project. All services are delivered at no cost to eligible clients in New York City, before, during, and after incarceration.

Product overview

WPA operates as a nonprofit social services organization offering a comprehensive suite of programs for justice-impacted women and gender-diverse individuals. The organization provides gender-responsive, trauma-informed services through eight interconnected programs: JusticeHome (home-based alternatives to incarceration), Community-Based Programs (reentry support), Supportive Housing (including The Rise and Sarah Powell Huntington House), Clinical Services (mental health counseling), Prison-Based Services (preventative health), and the Survivor's Advocacy Project. Services are coordinated through individualized care plans and include housing, health care, employment training, legal support, and family reunification. The organization served over 500 women and gender-diverse people in 2024-2025 across seven programs and two housing facilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• JusticeHome Nation's first home-based alternative to incarceration program, enabling women to remain with their families and communities while receiving wraparound case management, court advocacy, and access to services including clinical counseling, supportive housing, employment training, and emergency assistance. Targeted at justice-impacted women in New York City.
• Community-Based Programs Trauma-informed, community-based programs providing reentry support before, during, and after incarceration, including emergency assistance, benefits navigation, housing referrals, employment opportunities, substance use treatment, and health services. Targeted at justice-impacted women and their families in NYC communities.
• The Rise 72-unit permanent supportive housing facility in Brownsville, Brooklyn (37 units for formerly incarcerated women, 10 units for formerly incarcerated men, 25 units for low-income/disabled households) with on-site case management, job-readiness training, legal assistance, counseling, and a 10,000+ sq ft rooftop farm operated by Project EATS. Targeted at justice-impacted individuals and families in NYC.
• Sarah Powell Huntington House (SPHH) 28-bed apartment-style family shelter in Manhattan's East Village providing temporary housing for women and children, gender-responsive wraparound case management, workforce development, mental health care, and support finding permanent housing. Targeted at formerly incarcerated women and their children in NYC.
• Clinical Services Trauma-responsive mental health counseling services including individual counseling, community wellness events, group sessions using evidence-based modalities (TF-CBT, CBT, Seeking Safety, Motivational Interviewing), and psychoeducational workshops. Targeted at justice-impacted women and gender-diverse individuals navigating incarceration and reentry.
• Prison-Based Services Preventative health services for women incarcerated at Bedford Hills and Taconic correctional facilities, including PrEP counseling, peer support groups, counseling, and release planning to support continued health after incarceration. Targeted at currently incarcerated women in New York State.
• Survivor's Advocacy Project Rikers Island-based program providing specialized care for trauma survivors and resources for stability and healing, including support for survivors of trafficking and intimate partner violence, court advocacy, and provider training. Targeted at survivors of trafficking and intimate partner violence detained at the Rose M. Singer Center on Rikers Island.

Quantifiable outcome

• 500+ women and gender-diverse people enrolled in programs annually
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and moderate.

• Starling TattoominorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 February 2026Partner hosting Valentine's Day flash event to raise funds and awareness for WPA. Event scheduled for February 15-16, 2026.
• Books Are MagicminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 February 2026Bookstore partnership for February fundraiser where select book purchases benefit WPA, promoting literacy and support for justice-impacted women.
• The Osborne AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025WPA partners with The Osborne Association to provide on-site services at The Rise facility. Osborne Association staff offer wrap-around case management, job-readiness training, legal assistance, counseling, and referrals to health and mental health services for residents and community members.
• Xenolith Partners LLCcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Female-led affordable housing development company that developed The Rise in partnership with WPA and Brownsville Partnership. Founding principals Andrea Kretchmer and Terri Belkas-Mitchell created Xenolith Partners to expand affordable housing promoting social, economic, and health equity.
• Brownsville PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Community partnership instrumental in developing The Rise housing facility. Brownsville Partnership contributed expertise and collaborative efforts to address housing needs in the Brownsville community.
• Magnusson Architecture and Planning (MAP)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Architecture firm responsible for trauma-informed design of The Rise. MAP designed the building with features that reduce feelings of confinement while promoting connection to the outside world, including natural light, green spaces, and dignified entryways.
• Project EATSminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Brooklyn-based, female-led organization that manages the 10,000+ square foot rooftop farm at The Rise. Project EATS runs agricultural operations to reduce food insecurity, cultivate community engagement, and employs interested residents through a workforce development program.
• Catbird NYCminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBrand partner featured on WPA's partnerships page, demonstrating corporate support for WPA's mission.
• Edie Parker / PurlsohominorGTM or Marketing PartnerProduct partner supporting WPA through donations or promotional partnerships.
• Vera Institute of JusticemoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerWPA collaborates with Vera Institute on research and policy initiatives. Genia Wright, Interim CFO/COO, previously served as COO at Vera Institute of Justice. Vera data cited in WPA's impact materials on incarceration costs.
• NYC Courts and Criminal Legal SystemcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWPA works with NYC courts to keep women in their communities through alternatives to incarceration programs. Court advocacy includes letters and accompaniment before judges and prosecutors to illustrate how community-based services provide stable paths forward.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Bronx Defenders: NYC-based holistic public defender providing criminal defense plus civil, social, and advocacy services. Overlaps with WPA on court advocacy and connecting justice-involved clients to housing and social services.

Broad incumbents

• Housing Works: Large NYC nonprofit operating supportive housing and wraparound services for vulnerable populations. Comparable in NYC supportive housing operations, broader in mission (HIV/AIDS, harm reduction, advocacy).
• Vera Institute of Justice: National research and policy organization working on criminal justice reform. WPA's Interim CEO, CPO, and CFO/COO all previously worked at Vera; comparable in mission but broader in scope (policy/research vs. direct service).
• Corporation for Supportive Housing: National nonprofit focused on scaling supportive housing for vulnerable populations including the justice-involved. Comparable in the supportive housing development domain where WPA operates The Rise and SPHH.
• National Council on Crime and Delinquency: National nonprofit focused on advancing justice reform and protecting incarcerated and at-risk youth and families. Comparable mission focus on justice-impacted populations, broader in scope (policy, research, advocacy).

Direct peers

• The Osborne Association: NYC-based nonprofit serving justice-involved individuals through reentry, housing, and family services. Osborne literally co-delivers services at WPA's The Rise, making it the closest operational peer in size, geography, and mission.
• Fortune Society: Long-standing NYC nonprofit providing reentry, alternatives to incarceration, supportive housing, and workforce programs for formerly incarcerated individuals. Comparable program mix (ATI + housing + workforce) and NYC footprint make it a direct functional peer.
• Center for Court Innovation: NYC-founded organization that operates problem-solving courts and ATI programs and partners with courts and prosecutors. Directly comparable in the ATI and court-advocacy domain where WPA's JusticeHome operates.
• Women's Community Justice Association: NYC-based nonprofit providing housing, reentry support, and advocacy specifically for women affected by incarceration and the criminal legal system. Highly comparable mission and women's-focused programmatic scope.

Regional players

• A New Way of Life: Los Angeles-based nonprofit providing housing, reentry, and advocacy for women exiting incarceration. Comparable women-focused reentry model; operates on the West Coast so not a direct NYC competitor.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses2 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• TikToktiktok.com/@wpa_nyc
• Pinterestpinterest.com/wpa_nyc
• Xx.com/WPA_NYC
• Facebookfacebook.com/wpaonline

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Women's Prison Association