My Sistahz Keeper Association (MSKA), a 501(c) 3 entity, was created with a vision to promote awareness and empowerment for all women and families throughout New Jersey and New York Metropolitan area.  

          Our mission is to develop and promote a trauma sensitive culture that will end the legacy of disruptive behaviors/relationships and abuse that plague urban neighborhoods in order that women and families can thrive and grow in the community of their choice.

We are seeking to do this by developing community resource centers, transitional housing, and battered women’s shelters. Our target populations for our programs are women and families in crisis with diverse needs that include those returning from incarceration, those who have experienced long term homelessness, unemployment and/or substance abuse, as well as women living with HIV or Aids.         

History

My Sistahz Keeper Association (MSKA) was established in June of 2007. It was inspired by My Sistahz Keeper Motorcycle Club. This all female motorcycle club which was incorported in 2004 had the mission to bring together women from all walks of life that enjoy the activity and have a desire to do more for the communities from which they come

Scope of Services

My Sistahz Keeper Association operates a variety of supportive services to women, men, and adolescents. In addition to our residential services that we are seeking funding for; we operate community based programs such as our Community Resource Centers. Our center located at 877 Broad Street suite 213 in Newark, NJ. We are open Monday thru Saturday. We currently receive referrals from a variety of social services agencies.

Some of the services we offer are:

·         Re-Entry Program, designed to help strengthen urban communities by assisting formally incarcerated persons who are re-entering the community through education/employment-based programs that incorporate mentoring, job training, and other concrete services.

·         Girl Scouts troop for girls 9-11 years old.

·         Contracted Work site to offer career coaching for 10 Department of Labor workers.

·         Professional Development workshops.

·         Monthly Community soup kitchen.

·         Food and clothing assistance to the community.

·         Literacy assistance for persons who are registered in a GED program but need more one on one instruction.  

·         State recognized Narcotics Anonymous Women’s meeting site.

·         Relapse Prevention support group.

·         Domestic Violence prevention services include a support group;

·         Strengthening Families Parenting Program as well as EPIC parenting program.

·         Yoga, Chess, Self Defense and Massage Therapy.

·         Legal Document preparation clinics.

·         Case Management, Information, Advocacy and Referrals services.

  Conclusion

While the agency is new, the staff is seasoned. We have identified a variety of collaborative agencies to partner with to offer services to our identified population.

          Later this year we will open a transitional home for women with diverse needs.

We are seeking federal, state and private funding to finance many of the residential and non residential programs.

MSKA understands that one of the most important challenges facing social services agencies today is the need to implement performance-based services that align with their mission and goals.  We are working to develop a Quality Assurance component that will create bench marks to evaluate our ability to meet the needs of our community. 

Shirley D. Chisolm, Founder & Chair

973-306-9750

Kiwan N. Fitch, Founder & CEO

201-204-2051