Yusuf House of the Hudson Valley

Yusuf House of the Hudson Valley Inc.

Life Changing Experiences - Youth Supportive Assistance to Justice Involved

Our story

Mission

Mission statement- The mission of Yusuf House Inc. is to assist individuals and families in the

Hudson Valley was impacted by the criminal justice system and our broken communities by teaching

positive family dynamics, effective communication, and positive solutions that will strengthen the

family unit aspirations of each family member.

Values

We are Human Services professionals and we seek to build a peer to peer base to serve our population.

We are concerned with improving the lives of individuals, families and our community. We seek to improve and preserve the family unit and encourage family members to pursue personal development.

We seek to reduce recidivism and the involvement with the criminal justice system and help people and families. We seek to empower people to live better lives.

Founder

Omega Alston

I am originally from the Bronx, New York. I lost both of my parents before my nineteen birthdays to heart disease and asthma. I realized that I had to be self-sufficient and embark on a career. I knew that I wanted a career in human services because I observed so many people in need and hurting in the community.

I was recruited as a VISTA, VISTA Rikers Island Project, which is now known as ” Ameri-Corps”. My responsibilities were to counsel male inmates six months before their release dates. I would provide referrals for various community resources that provided substance abuse treatment, vocational and educational services, and job placement. I served as a liaison in their family relationships and inquired if they could return home. My task was to provide all services that would equip them for success in the community and reduce recidivism. My Philosophy emerged “Providing services to individuals reinforces the success of the family and the community”.

I relocated to the Hudson Valley, after obtaining employment and training with the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. Shortly, I was promoted to the position of Offender Rehabilitation Counselor. This involved case management, individual and group counseling. I was assigned the Family Reunion Program which supervised family visits between the offender and family members within the facility. This was a new program within the department, and I was instrumental in establishing policies that were applicable statewide to all correctional facilities.

I was promoted within the Department and was transferred to a work release facility in NYC. Work Release was a program that allowed offenders to be employed, however, they had to return to our facilities. If they were unable to meet the guidelines, I processed them back to upstate facilities. The continued theme is the importance of community support and family for the offender's success.

I transferred to another correctional facility and I served as the liaison with the Department and the Office of Mental Health by supervising a unit of mentally ill offenders. I had the opportunity for specialized training and personally observed the need for more services in preparation for their release. Then I worked in the Department appointment to Assistant Director of Ministerial Services. These responsibilities included the religious worship and observances of all statewide offenders. I oversaw all state chaplains in their duties in their delivery of religious worship and programs within their assigned facilities or areas. Duties also included timely death notifications, illness, and other grave instances. I ensured that all state cemeteries were maintained. My tasks also were to investigate religious and sensitive complaints by family and community members and prepare a response on the behalf of the Department Commissioner.

I was promoted to Deputy Superintendent of Programs within the Hudson Valley. These tasks included ensuring that all offenders received program requirements for their success in the community. I supervised program staff to support the mission of the program services. My total years with the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision was over thirty-three years. I am married to my supportive husband Darrick and have three living sons and four grandchildren. Yusuf House of the Hudson Valley Inc. is dedicated to the memory of my son Yusuf. Our community failed him in his education, mental health, and also in our criminal justice system.