Maywood, IL - On Sunday, August 6, 2006, State Representative Karen Yarbrough presented a $25,000 check to Helping Ourselves Prisoners and Ex-Offenders(H.O.P.E.) executive director Sheryl Abel.  The $25,000 state grant will provide H.O.P.E. with resources and program support to help women recently released from prisons who have returned to the Proviso community. 

 

Top Photo - State Representative Yarbrough praises the Abel family on having the will, the spiritual commitment and the strength to improve their lives and the lives of other formerly incarcerated women.  Shirley Abel, Sheryl's mother raised Sheryl's child while she was in prison and continued to give Sheryl the positive reinforcement she needed to turn her life around.  Sheryl, who was released from prison four years ago, started H.O.P.E. to help women who need support and direction.  Sheryl also is a Maywood CeaseFire outreach worker who is in the community daily discouraging young people from violent and destructive activities.

 

Bottom Photo - Check presentation with children of women who were formerly incarcerated.