Crossroads of Iowa

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Within CROSSROADS OF IOWA, there are four primary programs. Weekly classes inside the Polk County Jail:

#1)"FINDING YOUR VOICE", This class works through negative feelings and thoughts through writing and discussion. See E1  #2)"GRIEF IS A FIVE-LETTER WORD", This class allows inspiration from the well known Kubler-Ross Model of the five stages of grief;Denial, Depression, Bargaining and Acceptance. This class aims to help women overcome loss in their lives. Through discussion and writing, women work towards finding closure from their experiences. #3)"JOURNALING", Women read various literature and answer reflective questions. Next, they write about how their lives relate to what they have just read. The focus of this class is to improve women's ability to express personal experience, through writing.#4)"EMPOWERMENT SUPPORT GROUP FOR WOMEN, 

This group meets weekly at Fresh Start Women's Center (FSWC), a locked facility in the 5th Judicial District. The transition from jail/prison life proves to be a challenge for many women. Our program acts as a safe place where women have commonality with substance abuse addiction and mental health issues. Through discussion, women review their many challenges. Some of their challenges are: maintaining contact with a parole officer, paying rent to FSWC, searching for jobs, staying clean, and navigating the structured FSWC requirements.  Crossroads would like to begin a new program, Stepping Stones, where women that transition from FSWC will receive regular home visits. This is a high-risk time for these women.   Crossroads plans that this group will promote a clean lifestyle and aims to reduce recidivism. We want these women part of our economy rather than part of our criminal justice system