By Darlene Donloe
Contributing Writer
LEIMERT PARK — Turning Point, an alcohol and drug education program, was recently presented $900,000 by U.S. Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove to help the organization continue its mission.
The money is allocated for housing and supportive services necessary to empower formerly incarcerated women. Services include alcohol and drug education, HIV/AIDS testing and education through Charles Drew Medical Center, group and individual counseling, domestic violence classes, anger management classes and parenting classes.
The organization’s family unification program provides pickups from jail or prison, transportation to appointments, referrals to community services and assistance, and advocacy to navigate those systems.
“Nearly 2 million women are released from prison or jail each year in the United States, facing countless barriers to reentry,” said Kamlager-Dove who presented the donation during a re-entry resources and health fair. “These women deserve the resources necessary to successfully reintegrate into and become contributing members of, their communities.
“Here in Los Angeles, Turning Point works daily to break the cycle of mass incarceration by connecting individuals with holistic community-based reentry resources. I was proud to secure $900,000 for their Safe Housing Project, which will help formerly incarcerated women get back on their feet by connecting them with the supportive and housing services needed to heal, grow and flourish.”
Turning Point Women’s Reentry Safe Housing is dedicated to the support of women marginalized by addiction, trauma, criminality, incarceration, poverty, racism, sexism, homelessness and violence.
In 2020, Turning Point opened its first home for women leavingprison in Los Angeles County. Its reentry home is based on the model established by Susan Burton at A New Way of Life in 1998. Turning Point is a member of A New Way of Life’s Sisterhood Alliance for Freedom and Equality) Housing Network.
“This donation will provide much-needed funds to assist in Turning Point’s various programs,” said Turning Point Executive Director Michelle Perkins, who founded the organization in 2009.
“Turning Point extends our heartfelt gratitude to Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove for her steadfast support of Turning Point. Her advocacy has been instrumental in securing vital resources and recognition for our organization. With her unwavering commitment, Turning Point can continue empowering lives and making a difference in our community. Thank you, Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove for championing our cause and standing with us in our mission.”
The nonprofit community-based organization has a mission to support the needs of men, women and transitional-aged youth who have been disregarded due to addiction, trauma, homelessness and incarceration.
Perkins, a single mother of four, knows a little something about being incarcerated. In her past life, she dealt with domestic violence and was an addict who was in and out of prison for more than five years due to substance abuse.
“I finally got fed up and decided to get my life together,” said Perkins, who opened Turning Point because she wanted to ‘Give back to the community.’
“I know a little something about what these women are going through.”
Once Perkins was released from prison, she was determined to transform her life. She attended treatment sessions, reunited with her children, joined Alcoholics Anonymous and did some self-reflection before deciding to help others repair their lives after incarceration.
In 2009, she opened Turning Point Rehabilitation Center, with the tagline “Restore, Repair, Rebuild,” and concentrated her efforts on a drug and alcohol program.
Today the program has expanded. Turning Point clients receive all the necessities of daily living, including healthy meals, clothing and toiletries.
Participants also are provided with access to onsite 12-step recovery programs, family reunification services, person/family counseling, job training, employment/educational opportunities, legal services, computer training, personal/leadership development, financial planning, communication-building workshops, and permanent housing — all designed to facilitate self-sufficiency and economic prosperity.
Turning Point hosts several monthly and yearly community events.
Every second and fourth Friday of the month Turning Point hosts a food distribution event from its location at 3756 Santa Rosalita Drive in Los Angeles. The organization provides food to approximately 300 individuals monthly.
The organization has also provided winter coats and baby products at its community events.
It also offers TAP Cards, taxi vouchers and TrueConnect mobile phone sign-up.
This year Turning Point had a grand opening of its second safe house location and hosted its Spring Into Action Gala with another one set for spring 2025. Each year the organization hosts a turkey giveaway and a toy drive during the holidays. In 2022, a back-to-school giveaway was held.
Information: 323 296-1840 or info@turningpointaod.org.
Darlene Donloe is a freelance reporter for Wave Newspapers who covers South Los Angeles. She can be reached at ddonloe@gmail.com.
