By C1 Staff
BELCHERTOWN, Mass. — After seeing a rise in female probationers, Gina Sanderson decided to fill a void to help stop women from re-offending.
Sanderson created the Womanhood Program, according to the Gazette Net, because there were similar programs for men but none for women. Judge John M. Payne Jr. said that while probation departments do create programs to help probationers, it’s rare for a probation officer to create a completely new program on their own.
“It’s a credit to her,” he said.
Sanderson raised money to fund the program, found volunteer teachers and developed a 10-week curriculum that included health, creating a resume, budgeting, conflict resolution, domestic violence and substance abuse.
She said she wants women to leave the program not just with new skills, but also feeling empowered and confident.
“Sometimes you get into this abyss. Things go badly and sometimes you can’t get out of your own way,” she said.
Seven of the 10 women who participated in the first 10-week session graduated; in the second session, which started Sept. 1, all but one are on probation. By successfully completing the class, the women can get off of probation early. Most, Sanderson said, take the class voluntarily instead of being ordered to it by a judge.
Sanderson was awarded a grant from the Zonta Club of Northampton Area to cover some of the costs of the program; she also plans to apply for an innovation grant offered by the state court system.