SEE THROUGH THE NEGATIVE
AT PIONEER, we believe that all people have potential and that we are all better off when everyone is given the opportunity to realize that potential. That is why we are committed to providing the tools, skills and support justice-involved individuals need to reach their potential and become healthy, productive members of our communities.
“My personal recovery journey has been long and often bumpy. I’ve been through nine different treatment programs, served time in prison and experienced homelessness. I started my life over at least four times – but this time is different. Pioneer helped me find the resiliency to get back up, forgive myself and work towards a successful future. Currently, I’m working at one of their outpatient clinics earning hours for my CDPT certification while studying for my Masters in Social Work at UW. If I combine my education, personal experience in the criminal justice system, struggles with addiction, and the gift I have to relate with people, I’ll be in the best position to provide guidance and a little light to others on their journey.”
AS A SOCIETY, we can choose to either embrace individuals returning to our communities after incarceration or bar them from attaining the basic needs to live successful lives. The choice we make also affects their families and communities as their success or decline has an immediate ripple effect on their children, siblings, parents, friends and neighbors
At Pioneer, we choose to embrace individuals, support their transition into our communities and help shape communities that truly provide second chances. We do this by providing an integrated array of services specifically designed to meet the needs of the people we serve. This includes:
All of our services focus on meeting each person where they are at and working with them to shape goals that help them move forward on their individual path.
IN ADDITION TO OUR ARRAY OF TRADITIONAL SERVICES, we are increasingly working with communities to design innovative programming that meets their emerging needs.
In 2018, we worked with partners in the North Sound – a region that has been particularly hard hit by the opioid crisis – to develop a range of customized solutions. In Skagit County, we worked alongside local leaders to launch a pilot program specifically designed to treat opiate use disorder through holistic treatment coupled with medication-assisted treatment.
In Snohomish County, we partnered with law enforcement, emergency responders, county officials and other local leaders to create a continuum of services. First, we worked with them to convert their former work release facility into a diversion center to keep people out of jail and provide short-term shelter to homeless adults who are waiting to access treatment. Next, we launched a transitional housing program for people leaving detox, inpatient treatment and jail so that they are not released into homelessness. At the end of the year, we opened a resource center that brings community providers together in one location so people have easy access to services.
While still early, all of these programs are showing promising results and we look forward to bringing similar solutions to the other communities we serve.
“I was introduced to Pioneer when I was serving a prison sentence and it gave me hope when I learned that they don’t discriminate against people with a criminal record. Not only did they hire and train me, they also supported me when I was in a domestic abuse situation and provided me with affordable housing where I can feel safe and have private space to study. Today I’m a water-jet operator and am going to college with the help of Pioneer’s tuition assistance program. My next goal is to move into the service field so that I can give back and help other people find their path and realize their potential.”
EMPLOYMENT IS KEY to building a stable life in the community after incarceration. That’s why we started Pioneer Industries in 1967. Today we operate multiple business lines that help support our social service programs while providing a training ground and work experience that promote a career trajectory for those we serve. Our enterprises also serve as a model to other businesses on how they can successfully employ formerly incarcerated individuals. Our business lines include:
MANUFACTURING – Pioneer Industries offers sheet metal fabrication, machining, finishing, water-jet and assembly services for a wide range of customers in the aerospace and commercial industries.
DISTRIBUTION – Our warehouse stores, tracks, packages and ships aerospace parts and materials for Boeing.
FOOD – Our commercial kitchen produces meals for extended care facilities, day nutrition centers and residential reentry facilities, in addition to sack lunches for park programs in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties.
CONSTRUCTION – Our construction team specializes in renovation projects for other low-income housing providers in the Puget Sound region and maintains our facilities across the state.
All of our services focus on meeting each person where they are at and working with them to shape goals that help them move forward on their individual path.
SUPPORTING INDIVIDUALS as they work to build healthy lives in the community is vital. So is reshaping society so that people truly have the opportunity to transcend their past and be embraced as valuable members of the community.
In 2018, we worked alongside our partners to advocate for law changes that reduce discrimination and support successful reentry.
At the local level, we collaborated with allies to defend fair chance housing in Seattle.
YOUR DONATIONS CHANGE LIVES. In 2018, your support helped people get jobs, increase their financial literacy, get much-needed hygiene kits, engage in pro-social activities and build healthier relationships – and ultimately become stable and successful members of our communities. Thank you!
“Our family is proud to support the work of Pioneer Human Services on a monthly basis. The work Pioneer does is critical to helping individuals re-enter our communities in productive and intentional ways, and goes in tandem with the efforts to blunt the prison industrial complex which is robbing our nation of our most precious resource: people. If we care about our communities, if we care about our children, then we must act with a frenzied vigilance to fund services which quickly and appropriately get people the help they need coming out of prison.” — Adrienne Stuart
“I visited a Pioneer site in south Seattle a couple years ago with some vague idea that it was a residential facility. But that day I discovered that Pioneer Human Services also does treatment, training, and jobs. While I don’t have personal experience with criminal justice, I recognize that it must take a lot to start one’s life over when the deck is stacked against you. Folks need a helping hand. I greatly admire Pioneer’s holistic mission.” — Roger Haight
Bold names are Board of Directors Members
Formerly incarcerated people are 10 times more likely to be homeless than the general public. (www.prisonpolicy.org)
The unemployment rate for formerly incarcerated people is 27% — higher than the overall rate during the Great Depression. (www.prisonpolicy.org)
Accidental drug overdose is the leading cause of death in the US for those under 50 — more than firearms, car accidents, homicides, or HIV/AIDS www.drugpolicy.org)
206.768.1990