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About POISE

POISE, Inc. is a non-profit organization founded by Delmas "Dedee" Harper with a mission to combat inadequate housing and unemployment or underemployment.  Our comprehensive suite of services, which includes job readiness, life skills, financial literacy, technical skills,  health and wellness, food insecurity, etiquette,  childcare, and housing, is designed to empower individuals to reach their full potential and become successful, employed, and productive citizens.

​Our Services

"We provide training and support to men, women, and children, equipping them to succeed in an evolving landscape. Our methodology is grounded in a simple principle: Stability First. Inspired by Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, we recognize that personal growth is impossible without a solid foundation — such as food, shelter, and mental wellness —as prerequisites. By securing essentials like affordable housing, transitional living, and reliable childcare-- we provide the peace of mind necessary for our clients to stop worrying about survival and start focusing on learning, growing, and thriving."​

Our Programs

Program Overview - Our wide range of services is meticulously designed to cater to the unique needs of individuals across all demographics.  Our comprehensive programs aim to empower individuals by providing the tools, skills, and knowledge needed to improve their quality of life and achieve their goals. We help our community achieve its goals and build sustainable futures.

 

The POISE Pathway: From Stability to Success -  Our core operational philosophy is simple: basic needs must be met before professional growth can occur. We begin by ensuring participants have access to affordable housing, transitional shelter, and childcare. Once these fundamentals are secure, the POISE Program shifts focus to professional and socio-technical training, building the confidence and financial stability needed to become productive citizens.

 

The POISE, Inc. Journey - The goal of POISE, Inc. is to foster the development of influential, well-rounded individuals who can reach their utmost potential, thereby becoming successful, employed, and contributing citizens.  The organization operates under the guiding principle of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs theory: satisfying basic necessities, including shelter and food, is a prerequisite for personal growth. POISE, Inc. prioritizes these fundamental needs by offering affordable and transitional housing alongside childcare services. With this foundation stabilized, our focus shifts to cultivating professional and socio-technical skills. We equip individuals with the tools and training to become confident, productive, and financially stable. The POISE Program serves men, women, teens, and children regardless of age or gender.

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POSTURE: Re-entry and Reintegration - The offender’s transition back to society is often fraught with challenges.  To help individuals navigate this difficult journey, we’ve introduced the "POSTURE” program.  Our "POSTURE" program is designed to facilitate offenders’ re-entry into the community.  We offer transitional housing and re-entry services combined with professional development, social skills training, and career and technical training to help returning citizens reintegrate successfully and permanently.

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POISE Teen Career Exploration Afterschool and Summer Camp Program - Preparing the next generation is a priority. To help prepare teens aged 13-19  for their future, we offer an afterschool and Summer Camp program encompassing job readiness, leadership, etiquette, career exploration, home economics, financial literacy, sports, arts and crafts, STEM, and academic assistance.  POISE TEEN program provides the tools and resources to help TEENS transition into adulthood and become productive citizens. 

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The Latest Endeavor - In our continual effort to address the unique challenges different demographics face, we’ve recently introduced a Teen Maternity Transitional Housing program.  Designed for young mothers aged 16-25, this initiative offers safe housing, life-skills training, parenting classes, educational, career guidance, and childcare services.  We aim to help these young mothers transition successfully into independence and lead fulfilling lives by meeting their basic needs and equipping them with essential skills.

 

​Our Vision

We envision a community defined by stability and self-sufficiency. Our goal is to ensure that every individual is POISED with the tools, resources, and balance necessary to navigate life’s challenges, maximize their potential, and create a legacy of success."

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Our Mission

Our mission is to cultivate PROFESSIONAL - OPTIMUM - INDEPENDENT - SUCCESSFUL - EDUCATED (POISE) adults and youth who transition successfully into self-sufficiency through holistic support and professional training in life skills, career development, housing stability, and wellness.

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