L.M.

Formerly Incarcerated
​ I was incarcerated and released homeless, with no support, and hundred dollar check into a community that offered no services for women. Three years later I have an apartment, new car, I'm a student made honor roll, and am employed. It was very difficult, but I've succeeded. I know all to well how hard it is to overcome the obstacles we face upon our release. I also know we can overcome them.

B.R.

Formerly Incarcerated
The Demeter Foundation helped me with the kind of support with a group of people who will encourage you and give you the accountability you need to achieve your goals. There is motivating energy and supportive ties to people who want you to do well. They helped and encouraged me.

  D.R.  
Incarcerated at Taycheedah Correctional Institute

The Demeter Foundation has been a constant support to me.

Whenever I've felt the need to vent about the pit falls of being disrespected by unprofessional staff or the victories of seeking and obtaining health care or trauma treatment, the foundation is there, ready and willing to support.

There have been times when I couldn't contact family members, Alice helped with that. They also helped when I needed glasses, writing materials and visits. Even when she travels, she sends little notes and cards to let you know that she's thinking of you.

Through this foundation, it's made me feel as though I'm not in this spot alone. I wish I could do more to help support the foundation. I'm truly grateful.

   K  athryn Ga  hl   
Mother of an incarcerated woman


Somewhere between right and wrong live the angels. One of them, Alice Pauser, started The Demeter Foundation. I had never heard of Alice or the foundation until a year ago, when my daughter became a sudden prisoner and I entered a twilight zone of fear, misinformation, and disbelief.

The closed and complex prison system startled me. Was there an inherent philosophy of compassion? Did the opaque policies and procedures contribute to healing? How did a prisoner find strength for the journey? How were those suffering mental illness to find health? Was there meaning and purpose behind bars?

My questions were many, my anguish enormous.

Alice helped me with both. She helped me get past intense suffering. Bear the unbearable. Redefine the meaning of woman. With knowledge and compassion, she decoded a world I knew nothing about. Her humanity is large and therefore, so is The Demeter Foundation.

Every woman has an inalienable right to grow and change. That change is ensured thanks to the foundation. Under Alice’s leadership, wisdom, patience, and activism come together in service of those incarcerated. And, in education of those free, yet mourning.

G.E.
Incarcerated at Taycheedah Correctional Institute

I want to say thank you for all you've done for me from my glasses to talking to me about my son's status and for helping me with the Christmas package while I was at the Wisconsin Women's Resource Center.