Core Programs
Community Style Program (Cease Poverty Resource Center)
The Community Style Program empowers justice-impacted women in reentry, along with seniors and women experiencing homelessness, by providing professional hair services and business attire. Guided by the belief that when you look good, you feel good, we help women build confidence, prepare for new opportunities, and take the next steps toward a brighter future.
The L.A.W.N. Program is Cease Poverty's mobile outreach program that brings resources, and support, directly into neighborhoods throughout Chicago. Through our outreach truck, we distribute food, clothing, hygiene products, school supplies, and other essential items.
We'd love to set up on your Front Lawn to disperse our items to your community.
Cease Poverty Transitional Housing & Resource Center
The L.A.W.N. Program (Lending Assistance Where Needed)
Cease Poverty's Transitional Housing is an alternative-to-incarceration program designed for qualifying young Black women ages 18–24. Participants may reside in the program for six months up to two years while receiving individualized support based on their unique needs and goals. Through comprehensive assessments, we connect residents with services such as mental health support, education, workforce development, life skills training, mentorship, and other community resources that promote rehabilitation, personal growth, and successful reintegration into society. Our goal is to provide a safe, supportive environment where young women can build stability, confidence, and a foundation for long-term success.
The Sisters Outside the Hood Initiative creates opportunities for women to connect, explore, and experience life beyond the limitations often associated with underserved communities. Through cultural experiences, recreational activities, and positive social engagement, we encourage women to broaden their horizons, prioritize self-care, and embrace new possibilities. We believe that exposure creates opportunity, and sometimes a change of environment can inspire a change in perspective.
Community Impact Initiatives
Sisters Outside the Hood
The Cook County Jail Educational Initiative offers empowering in-person courses for incarcerated women focused on personal growth, self-discovery, and rehabilitation. Through our Purpose Within workbook and other educational resources, participants are encouraged to identify their strengths, discover their purpose, and prepare for a successful future beyond incarceration.
Courses Inside Cook County Jail