Female Program Pod Celebrates HOPE Graduation

Published on October 17, 2025

The Foundation of HOPE celebrated its most recent graduation on the Allegheny County Jail female programming pod on Wednesday, Oct. 1.

Guest speaker Terri Minor-Spencer congratulated the graduates.

Minor-Spencer is the founder and president of West End P.O.W.E.R., a nonprofit organization committed to strengthening communities through activism, advocacy, education, equity and promoting unity.

Following Minor-Spencer’s uplifting presentation, several graduates spoke to their peers and thanked Rev. Lisa Young, director of the Pre-Release program at ACJ, for working with them and providing them with hope and faith.

About the Foundation of HOPE

The Foundation of HOPE is an interfaith nonprofit organization that provides Chaplaincy and Pre-Release programs at Allegheny County Jail.

The HOPE Pre-Release program is a vital part of the ACJ’s goal to give incarcerated individuals the tools they need to improve their lives in positive ways when they are released. Participants live together on the HOPE pod and take part in 60 hours of evidence-based classes. After graduating, they can remain on the pod as group leaders and mentors, while taking graduate-level classes.

The Foundation of HOPE Pre-Release program graduated 482 participants in 2024.

For more information, visit Foundation of HOPE. 

Media inquiries may be directed to Jesse Geleynse, Public Information Officer for the Allegheny County Jail
jesse.geleynse@alleghenycounty.us or by phone at 412-350-1267 or 412-760-4760 (cell).