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The goals of the program are accomplished through counseling, religious services, discipleship, practical resources and referrals, life skills education within and outside the jail, choice awareness training, and one-on-one mentoring. HOPE serves incarcerated individuals regardless of their race, age, ethnic background, or faith tradition.
VOICES: The Prison System / Local Citizens Share First-Hand Experiences with Incarceration
Anne Casper, at WQED, reached out to Foundation of HOPE for assistance in developing a video on the “prison system” for their VOICES series. This incredibly powerful and inspiring video features Rodger Jay (HOPE Aftercare Peer Support Specialist), Elexa Becton (former HOPE Aftercare participant & current Aftercare volunteer), and Taili Thompson (HOPE Board Member).
Freedom Rising
The Freedom Rising Grant is being used as a catalyst for change in how youth are interfacing with the juvenile justice system in the city of Pittsburgh, how schools are handling behavior changes, and an effort in breaking the cycle of generational incarceration. The Diversion program addresses Justice and Reconciliation in addition to focusing on one of Freedom Rising’s Core Values: Focusing specifically on ministry to and for African American males without diminishing the well-being of others-particularly other oppressed peoples.
Watch Our Previous HOPE Video
Articles
K-LOVE Closer Look: Foundation of Hope – Pittsburgh
Original air date: 9/21/2025
Peter Kaye speaks with Reverend Dr. Lawana Butler of Foundation of Hope, a local organization helping individuals affected by incarceration across Allegheny County. Dr. Butler sheds light on the immense challenges people face when reentering society—rebuilding faith, reconnecting with family, and reclaiming purpose. She shares the moving story of a man who, after 20 years behind bars, now mentors others on the path to healing and success. Dr. Butler also highlights how the organization reaches youth in the local school systems before trouble begins, guiding students toward better choices and brighter futures through their Youth Diversion Program.
Foundation of HOPE Celebrates Graduation on Female Pod
Allegheny County Website / Jail News of Interest
Published on August 15, 2025
Fifteen graduates made up the most recent class. Participants live together on the 6D housing unit and take classes like Confronting Stinking Thinking, Addiction and Recovery, Anger Management, Trauma, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Journaling, Parenting, Spiritual Formation and Healthy Relationships. Optional 12-Step meetings and Grief Groups are also available.
Bishop Zubik washes feet of Allegheny County Jail inmates as part of Holy Thursday service
TribLive, April 18, 2025 (Photo: Massoud Hossaini, TribLive)
Pittsburgh Bishop David A. Zubik traditionally uses part of Holy Thursday to wash the feet of inmates at the Allegheny County Jail, as part of Holy Week observances.
On Thursday night, Catholics celebrate the Mass of the Lord’s Supper with a service that includes symbolic foot-washing of 12 parishioners by a priest that mirrors Jesus’ washing the disciples’ feet.
It marks the end of Lent, the 40-day fast Christians use to prepare for Easter, which is celebrated Sunday. Today is Good Friday, which marks the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
Pat McAfee’s “Big Night Aht” in Pittsburgh provides generous donations to nonprofits
WTAE.com, April 10, 2025
Four organizations benefited from the much-hyped Pat McAfee’s Big Night Aht, an evening of celebrity appearances and music at PPG Paints Arena.
Foundation of Hope and Pennsylvania Special Olympics each received pledges of $100,000, while Folds of Honor and Pittsburgh Public Schools received pledges with unspecified amounts.
“I was extremely excited. I got a call from one of my staff members late last night saying guess what? I have to send you this video. We got this money, a $100,000 donation,” said Lawana Butler, CEO of Foundations of Hope.
KD Sunday Spotlight: Foundation of Hope helping individuals transform their lives after incarceration
By Briana Smith, September 18, 2022 / CBS Pittsburgh
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Many people are moving from prison to prosperity with guidance from the “Foundation of Hope.” The non-profit organization helps incarcerated individuals re-enter society and succeed during their second chance at life.
“Today, I can be part of the healing of the community,” Rodger Jay said. “The same communities that I was part of the destruction of, now I get to be part of the healing. I am grateful for that.”
Bishop Zubik washes feet of Allegheny County Jail inmates as part of Holy Thursday service
TribLive, April 18, 2025
Pat McAfee’s ‘Big Night Aht’ in Pittsburgh provides generous donations to nonprofits
WTAE.com, April 10, 2025
A Holy Thursday ritual returns as Bishop Zubik washes inmates’ feet
The service at the Allegheny County Jail had been sidelined by the pandemic
Laura Esposito, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, March 29, 2024
“An inspiration to me”: Bishop Zubik visits Allegheny County Jail inmates for Holy Thursday Mass
Juston Vellucci, TribLive, March 28, 2024
Mass Incarceration: The Whole Pie 2024
Can it really be true that most people in jail are being held before trial? And how much of mass incarceration is a result of the war on drugs?
By Wendy Sawyer and Peter Wagner
Prison Policy Initiative – March 14, 2024
School of Social Work Interns bring hope and help to the Allegheny County Jail through the Foundation of HOPE field placement
In the case of the Foundation of HOPE field placement at the Allegheny County Jail, School of Social Work students fearlessly seized the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of traumatized people.
University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work – September 2021
Foundation of HOPE Helps Inmates Prepare for Life Outside the Correctional System
We spoke with the executive director, Jody Raeford, about the ways the organization helps inmates and former inmates overcome obstacles when returning to life outside the correctional system.
By Hilary Daninhirsch
North Hills Monthly Magazine – 2021
Many arrests are rooted in behavioral health issues. Can this program be an alternative for the Pittsburgh region?
At the Foundation of HOPE, Jody Raeford is looking to ensure community members aren’t arrested for behaviors rooted in unmet behavioral health needs.
by Emma Folts and Rich Lord
Public Source – August 24, 2020
Hand-offs, not handcuffs: National program for nonviolent criminals may soon be coming to Pittsburgh
The Foundation of HOPE continues to take the LEAD when it comes to Diversion initiatives: Check out why we believe healthy collaborations lead to healthy communities.
By Rich Lord
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette – January 25, 2020
A Foundation of Hope: Pilot Program Boasts Success in Aiding At-risk Juveniles on North Side
When 17-year-old Alayah Thompson first stepped into the juvenile probation office after getting in trouble for fighting downtown, she saw a scary-looking probation supervisor and worried she might be going to jail. But instead, the probation supervisor told her she’d been flagged to participate in a H.O.P.E. diversion pilot program.
By Shelly Bradbury
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette – July 20, 2019