Our Mandate

The Hinda Institute is dedicated to transforming lives by providing comprehensive support to individuals and families impacted by the justice system. Our organization fosters resilience, hope, and reintegration through compassionate assistance and mental health advocacy.

 


Who Do We Assist? 
 

  • Families and Children; Victims and the Collateral damage of the Criminal Justice System
    Families are deeply affected when a parent or a child is detained. We counsel the family and children and help them cope. 
     

  • People Isolated in Correctional Institutions in Illinois
    We are the Jewish prison chaplains for Illinois. We visit families loved ones detained in correctional institutions  at the county, state and federal level as well many prisons throughout Illinois.
     

  • People Reentering and Transitioning into  their Communities  
    The Hinda Institute is the only organization which follows families and their loved ones who are justice-impacted from their initial encounter with the criminal injustice system throughout their lives. Our integrative holistic approach ensures our clients never return. 
     

  • Survivors  
    We believe in restorative justice and empower victims in their recovery process. 

 

Services
 

Supporting our families through Casework and Counseling Services 

  • Provide a full spectrum of counseling services ranging from professional trauma informed therapists (licensed social workers), casework counseling and peer support specialists

  • Run 4 Support groups weekly 

  • Assist our clients  to find housing, employment, basic ID and other essential resources

  • Employment Specialist and Temp Agency

  • Housing expert and housing databases 

  • Offer basic legal referrals, consultation and assistance

 

Building Resilience Through Education, Advocacy, and Community

  • Offer monthly psycho- educational courses and skill building workshops for our families (delivered by experts in the field) 

  • Partner with organizations to promote wellness through interactive workshops ( topics include “Dealing with an Adult child with Mental Health Challenges”, “How to speak to children whose parents is addicted or incarcerated”, “Safe Internet”)

  • Exciting presentations to synagogues and within communities by Rabbi Scheiman

  • Presentation of our Hinda Documentary and grassroots advocacy led by our families

  • Offer CEUs for professionals in  PICS (Post Incarceration Syndrome) and other topics

  • Hosting Jewish Holidays and Sending packages 

  • Yearly Event 

 

Chaplaincy Services

  • Counseling, advocacy, holidays and spiritual support for those in despair in correctional institutions,  
     
  • Lower recidivism rates and ensure that those coming out of correctional institutions do not return.