We are pleased to have the opportunity to share a story from Andrianna who was assisted in our Foundational Community Supports (FCS) program . Pioneer Human Services provides housing and employment supportive services....Read more >>
Our Mission: We are a social enterprise that partners with communities to transform society by honoring the humanity of people, reducing the impact of discriminatory mass incarceration and empowering people to live safe, healthy, productive lives through inspiration, affirmation and by overturning barriers.
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Labels Create Barriers
We believe that words are powerful and can be very stigmatizing and harmful when used to label our citizens who are or were formerly incarcerated. Let’s be clear, the individuals are first and foremost human beings!
We all need to remember that people released from prison or jail share common and descriptive names with everyone else in society to include: grandparent, parent, son and daughter, extended family member, friend, neighbor, colleague and employee. These are the only type of names that should ever be used to describe a person.
When talking about people who have been involved in the criminal justice system, here are labels to avoid and terms that are acceptable:
NEVER USE
|
Convict |
ex-Con |
Inmate |
ex-Inmate |
|
Offender |
ex-Offender |
Criminal |
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Pioneer Human Services is a nonprofit (501c3) social enterprise. One-hundred percent of our revenues are reinvested within the organization.
NEWS
Our CEO, Karen Lee, was recently featured on the podcast, Holding Ground, hosted by Laura Richer, psychotherapist and the founder of Anchor Light Therapy Collective in Seattle. They had an important discussion on the....Read more >>
CARNEGIE RESOURCE CENTER Our staff works closely with individuals that enter the Carnegie Resource Center in Everett. In association with partner organizations, the Carnegie Resource Center is a one-stop location that....Read more >>