Hour Children, a leading provider of services for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated women and their children in New York State, announced today that founder and Executive Director Sister Tesa Fitzgerald has stepped down from her leadership position after 30 years. Sister Tesa established the Long Island City-based non-profit in 1992 and remained at its helm for the last three decades. Dr. Alethea Taylor, who formerly served as a distinguished doctoral lecturer with Hunter College School of Education and as the executive director of Greenhope Services for Women, will succeed Sister Tesa as executive director.
Consistent with Hour Children’s mission, Dr. Taylor brings over 20 years of experience serving incarcerated or formerly incarcerated women. She is a member of The Independent Commission on New York City Criminal Justice and Incarceration Reform and serves as a consultant with the New York Women’s Foundation on its Justice Fund Initiative. A graduate of Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, Dr. Taylor holds a doctorate in Rehabilitation Counseling as well as a master’s degree from New York University in Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling. She is a certified Rehabilitation Counselor.
“I welcome Alethea with an open heart and the utmost support as she assumes leadership of Hour Children,” said Sister Tesa, who was honored by the White House as a Champion of Change in 2013. “It is a sacred and honored role to be of service to Hour families and to grow Hour programs inside prisons and in the community.”
“The mission that Sister Tesa started is phenomenal,” said Dr. Taylor. “As executive director, I will work with the board of directors, staff, clients, advocates and the community to assure Hour Children is the organization people consult when they think about advocacy, housing, and services for incarcerated and formally incarcerated women and families. We will continue to help advance the fight to end the mass incarceration of women. The mission has not changed, the commitment has not changed, but we still have much work to do. I am honored to continue Sister Tesa’s legacy.”
“Sister Tesa’s passion and dedication to this cause is equal parts inspiring and commendable, and we’re excited to continue and expand her work as Dr. Taylor steps in to lead, build and move this organization forward,” said M. Jane Stanicki, board chair at Hour Children.
Hour Children helps hundreds of women and children each year, including through their onsite presence at: Bedford Hills Correctional Facility, in Bedford Hills, NY; Taconic Correctional Facility, in Bedford Hills, NY; and Rikers Island Correctional Facility, in East Elmhurst, NY.
About Hour Children
Hour Children is a leading provider of services to incarcerated and formerly incarcerated women in New York State. Focused on women and their children, Hour Children supports families during a mother’s incarceration and helps families get back on their feet upon release. Founded in 1992 by Sister Tesa Fitzgerald, the non-profit provides prison-based services such as infant nursery, transportation and visiting programs and parenting education and advocacy. Community programming includes supportive housing, job training, childcare support, mentoring for children, a community food pantry and Hour Thrift Shops to benefit the nonprofit’s work. For more information visit: https://hourchildren.org/ or call 718-433-4724.
