National Grid Project C Grant helps New Hour for Women and Children

New Hour was founded to provide support to current and formerly incarcerated women, their children, and families. The organization offers parenting skills, work skills, and wellness programs during and after incarceration.

One of the many programs at New Hour is the EMERGE Program. EMERGE is a leadership and advocacy training program for women who have been impacted by the criminal justice system. In March of 2023, National Grid awarded New Hour for Women and Children a $20,000 Project C grant under the Workforce Development Pillar that would go to support and expand the Emerge Program. Because of the Project C grant, New Hour was able to expand their course offerings, provide transportation to and from the programs, and provide job support training. In addition, the grant bolstered the Emerge 2.0 Financial Wellness program, which teaches women how to properly manage their finances and provides them with necessary tools as they enter the workforce and reassert independence. The number of participants in the EMERGE program has expanded to 76 graduates and 25 individuals participating in 2023.