YWCA Oahu Program Supports Women Re-Entering Society After Incarceration

YWCA Oahu Program Supports Women Re-Entering Society After Incarceration

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Lois Kim’s path from incarceration to a career in behavioral health began at Fernhurst, a residential program managed by YWCA Oahu. Hawaii News Now reported that the facility provides more than just a roof, supporting women as they re-enter society.

The program serves women who are currently experiencing housing instability, those at risk of homelessness, and those transitioning back into the community following incarceration. Through initiatives like the Homebase and Furlough programs, the organization provides furnished housing, daily meals, and essential support services.

Desiree McCorriston, the interim director of housing at Fernhurst, emphasized that the objective extends beyond simple shelter. “The main goal for Fernhurst is to actually build that independence so that the women can thrive,” McCorriston said. “And Fernhurst is not just a place for the women to stay. It’s actually their safe haven, a place where the women can actually focus on themselves again.”

For Kim, the journey to stability was deeply personal. She recounted that after the death of her father, she struggled with grief and eventually turned to illicit drugs, which led to both homelessness and incarceration.

“Now I understand how important mental health was, but then I didn’t know how to deal with my grief,” Kim explained. “So I got into illicit drugs. And then it’s something funny about addiction; it takes a hold of your life and consumes you.”

During her time in the prison’s work furlough early release program, Kim utilized the resources at Fernhurst to regain her footing. Her trajectory since leaving the program reflects a significant turnaround.

Kim is now a published author and illustrator of two children’s books and holds a master’s degree in business and finance, as well as a master’s in social work from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

YWCA Oahu’s program Fernhurst program helps women build stability and independence

She recently passed her licensing exam and currently serves as a program manager at the Behavioral Health Crisis Center operated by CARE Hawaii. In this role, she supervises medical and behavioral health staff members who assist individuals experiencing homelessness.

“I’m economically stable and independent, and now I’ve built my career to a point where I’m giving back and helping the community, the most underserved community members,” Kim said. “It feels amazing to be in a position or a privilege to give back.”

Moving from incarceration to the workforce is one of the hardest parts of re-entering society. Programs like those offered by YWCA Oahu aim to mitigate the risk of recidivism by addressing the underlying causes of instability, such as untreated trauma and the lack of a stable living environment.

For those interested in supporting these efforts, information regarding donations and applications is available at ywcaoahu.org.

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