Cameo House -- Transitional Housing for Ex-Offender Women and Their Children

Northern California Service League

Cameo House: Transitional Housing for Women and Children

Cameo House is a supportive transitional housing program for eleven single mothers recently released from prison. It opened in September, 1997, and moved to its current expanded location in August, 2000. In Cameo House, each woman has her own living space to allow her to reunify with up to two children aged six and under. She participates in individual and group therapy, counseling, and in job search. She and her children remain in the program for about one year, until she is ready to complete her transition to independent living.

The symbolism of the cameo is perfect for this program. A seemingly plain stone, when carefully carved, can produce an exquisite silhouette of a beautiful woman. It becomes a priceless gem. Cameo House provides the same transformation for our residents. Cameo's female clients, too, come to be valued and honored by themselves, their family, and society.

The Cameo House case management team offers a host of on-site support services:

child reunification
treatment plans
recovery skills and relapse prevention
transition plan to independent living
independent living skills
anger management
health workshops and nutrition education
skills for employment stability
money management
counseling for families and children
parenting workshops
relationship and self-esteem workshops
recreational activities

We welcome the services of volunteer counselors and interns who are dedicated to helping those in need (licensed supervision available). This essential service also offers valuable experience to the volunteer.

We rely on donations to help us provide a safe and comfortable atmosphere for our women and children. We also invite collaborative support arrangements for these women and their children. Donations for Cameo House are fully tax-deductible as allowed by law.

Criminality and incarceration is an intergenerational issue, and we can work together to break the intergenerational links. When a parent is arrested, children whose chaotic lives may already have left them with little sense of control often feel even more alienated from the events that swirl around them. Please click here to learn about a Bill of Rights for the children of incarcerated parents.