Founded in 1975, Thresholds is a nonprofit organization that teaches a six-step decision-making course to interested inmates in Delaware County, PA. Our program currently operates at three location in Delaware County, two adult prisons and a youth center
(1) George W. Hill Correctional Facility , Thornton, PA (GWHCF) (Formerly Delaware County Prison)
(2) State Correctional Institution at Chester (SCI-Chester).
(3) Delaware County Juvenile Detention Center in Lima, PA.
Through the use of our Guide booklet, trained volunteers from the community teach inmates, or “clients”, how to define situations, set goals, develop possibilities for reaching their goals, evaluate these, decide on a course of action, and to stay focused until their goals are achieved. Thresholds of Delaware County teachings are based on the belief that the image a person holds of him/herself in relation to society strongly influences his/her actions. By learning to problem-solve and make better decisions, a person can raise his/her self-esteem. For the client, this enables him or her to be a more productive individual upon returning to the community.
Class Jan 2012
Thresholds volunteers usually meet once a week with a client for period of 7-10 weeks. Each meeting lasts for a period of one to two hours. During this time the teacher and client cover the six steps outlined in the Thresholds Guide (workbook). Further reinforcement of the material is provided during group sessions, which are also held once a week. The group sessions include discussion, videos and role playing. Upon completing the program, each client is awarded a “Certificate of Achievement”.
Thresholds in Delaware County is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, and currently employs paid coordinators at GWHCF and SCI-Chester, while the program at JDC-Lima is coordinated by a volunteer staff member.
Thresholds in Delaware County is also a member of Mid-Atlantic Thresholds, which serves as an umbrella organization for Thresholds chapters in our region. Our Thresholds chapters exist in Delaware County, Chester County, PA; Lancaster County, PA; in the State of Delaware, and the cities of Atlanta, GA, and Poughkeepsie, NY.