The Lilac House — A Restorative Community for Women

The Lilac House is committed to filling the existing housing gap for formerly incarcerated women in Westchester County and increasing access to a second chance in a safe community. 

As a uniquely envisioned transitional residence, The Lilac House offers reentry-specific supportive living, which, in addition to providing refuge, aims to cultivate a close-knit community through on-site resources and referrals to address concerns for its residents.

Available Services:

  • Individualized Case Management: Employment Services, Housing Search, Clothing
  • Wellness: Mental Health, Substance Use Treatment, Support Groups
  • Education: Soft Skills, Tech Workshops, Budgeting
  • Family: Parenting Classes, Child Care, Reunification

Click to enlarge the photos.

Why The Lilac House Matters?

Though Westchester County is home to two state prisons for women, the county suffers from an extreme lack of transitional housing options meant for formerly incarcerated individuals.  

More than 300 residents return from incarceration to Westchester County each year. Currently, upon release, many of these residents go to shelters not designed to handle their specific reentry needs. Access to stable housing and supportive resources plays a critical role in a person’s successful reintegration.

With New York State’s annual recidivism rate at 35%, it’s crucial that we create more opportunities for successful reentry. In light of this dire need, The Lilac House Mission is stepping up to the call.

The amount of incarcerated men vastly outnumbers incarcerated women.

Accordingly, the number of men released from prison each year is exponential to the number of women being released. Unfortunately this means that fewer services are in place to accommodate formerly incarcerated women.

The Lilac House helps fill this gap by serving women returning or relocating to Westchester County after release from incarceration.

The Lilac House is a uniquely envisioned transitional residence that offers reentry-specific supportive living.

Our screening process will help ensure that applicants who don’t meet the typical restrictive eligibility requirements, which are characteristic of many other housing options, have equal consideration as long as they are formerly incarcerated.

Want to help make a difference?