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June,2011 News Release
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Summit House suspends statewide
program, begins transition period
to reassess and reconstitute operations
GREENSBORO and CHARLOTTE, North Carolina, June 27, 2011 — Summit House temporarily suspended residential operations in Charlotte and Greensboro and enters a transitional phase to reconstitute its rehabilitative program that served as a structured alternative to prison for women offenders and their children.
The new state budget revised the funding method to Summit House and other non-profit organizations providing treatment services for nonviolent criminal offenders living in the community. In the 2010-2011 fiscal year, state funding through the North Carolina’s Department of Correction accounted for 77 percent of Summit House’s operating funds.
Summit House will receive transitional funding under the new state budget. During this time, remaining staff and board members will work with Department of Correction and other non-profits to revise services that fit the needs of the criminal justice system.
“These funds are an investment lifeline for Summit House and North Carolina,” said Timothy Wilson, chairman, Summit House board of directors. “It allows us to reassess, refocus and remodel in partnership with the Department of Correction and the Legislature. “We are excited about this opportunity and plan to provide services again in January 2012.”
Available to all 100 North Carolina counties, Summit House operated residences in Greensboro and Charlotte. Founded in Greensboro in 1987, Summit House received local and national recognition. The program saved North Carolina costs for incarceration and foster care.
Summit House successfully graduated several residents from its program and relocated the remaining women and their children. Graduates declare how Summit House’s intense life and parenting skills changed lives, transforming them into independent, self-reliant persons with a job and housing.
“Summit House saved my life and saved my daughter’s,” said graduate Deborah Mastrodonato. “I was looking down the dark road of the end, my self-destruction was almost complete. I was facing two years prison time for the last of many offenses. I knew this (Summit House) was the last road I would travel down. I knew there would be no more chances for me.”
The program includes close supervision and a strong treatment approach with group and individual counseling. Residents receive help for their addictions with, educational and vocational services and learn important skills to become better parents and good citizens Summit House graduates have a lower incarceration rate than women sent to prison.
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Summit House is a residential alternative-to-prison program for mothers convicted of a non-violent crime and their minor children. Instead of mom going to prison and her children going into foster care or being shuffled between family or friends (sometimes many different people), mom and her kids are able to remain together as a family at Summit House while mom works towards putting their lives back together.
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“I love my children. I’ve failed my children.
I’m ready for another chance.”
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The key to the success of this program is the focus on a mother’s love for her children. Without this powerful motivating force, we honestly believe many mothers would not achieve their goal of self-sufficiency. That's why Summit House was created – to keep mothers and children together during the process of rehabilitation. The best news is, it works- and we have the success rate to prove it!
Summit House is the only program of its kind in North Carolina. The program includes close supervision and a strong treatment approach with group and individual counseling. The women receive help for their addictions, learn household management responsibilities and become better parents.
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Changing Lives, One Family at a Time
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Read a mother's letter to her Representative
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