The Program of Emmanuel's Hands was established on October 21,1991 in Allentown Pennsylvania by three very close friends. Kimberly O'Hara had come from a background of drug addiction, prostitution and prison. In 1990 she had been free of those things for one year and ready to start doing something to give back to the community she and her family were calling home. Kiersten D'Alonzo had come from a background of drug addiction which had not gone as far as prostitution or prison. Yet she had a heart for those who suffer and die from the disease of addiction. She had a desire to go behind the walls of the prison and reach out to these outcasts and forgotten members of society. Diane James had come from a much different background. her's was one of what some might call the good life. She had never suffered from an addiction yet she felt a connection to those who did. Having a foster son who nearly died in her arms one day in her kitchen, knowing that a cousin whom she loved dearly was somewhere on the streets of Allentown looking for his next score and having lost her beloved younger brother in law to this disease; she felt that someone needed to do something and that someone must be her and her friends who shared the same concerns. Diane and Kimberly had met in Lehigh County Prison.  Diane had come with 2 other women, into the women's unit in September of 1990. They made friends quickly and Kimberly credits Diane for being one of the reasons she walking away from drugs. Kimberly says that their friendship was worth fighting this thing for. Someone in her life had cared enough to stick around and get in her face when things didn't look right. Someone cared enough to take her to a family of people who could except her as she was and even love her. That family adopted her at the age of 26 and she and Diane became sisters. Not long after that, Kimberly introduced Kiersten D'Alonzo to Diane. The three became very close friends.

After going in and out of the prison, week after week, and seeing people get released and then return, Diane began to wonder about what kind of things would help them get out of the system and stay out. After brainstorming with Kimberly and Kiersten, the three came up with an idea that became The Program of Emmanuel's Hands. Then the three went to Diane's pastor, Ed Tucker and presented the idea for his thoughts. Ed decided the program sounded like and excellent idea. After that they spoke to Pastor Bob Wright who gave them some direction and other people to speak with. Soon, there was an advisory board formed of the three friends, Pastor Ed Tucker, of Salem United Methodist Church was on board as the chairman of the advisory board. Bill Brinton, a retired police officer and member of Asbury United Methodist Church chose to contribute in every aspect possible. Dale Wrag also of Asbury brought with him his many years experience as a Pennsylvania State Parole Officer and Dave Sharpless, another member of Salem, came on board as the treasure for the program. Emmanuel's Hands also had some starting help from Gloria Billingsly of Asbury who donated her time and the funds needed to apply for non-profit status with the federal government. On January 24,1992 Emmanuel's Hands  was an official and legal non-profit program, with incorporation status, in Pennsylvania.

The months that followed, Kimberly, Diane and Kiersten were heavily involved in visited other area agencies to gain information as to their admissions processes, forms of acceptable payment and how each program operated. They visited addictions rehabilitation facilities, half way houses, mental health facilities and the local corrections facilities. They had decided, after gathering all information and meeting with the board members, that Emmanuel's Hands could best serve the public as a case management and after care program. They spoke to officials and parole officers at both state and county levels. They met with magistrates and judges. They contacted the local county jails and spoke with administration and staff members. Finally a plan of action had developed. On May 4,1992 a local addiction rehabilitation program referred the very first client to the program. A man who had been addicted to cocaine for many years and was involved with a woman who had 4 young children. He was about to go to state prison for many years for crimes he had committed. He freely admitted that he deserved that sentence and was ready to accept it. He was worried about his live in girlfriend and her children and how they would be supported. Kimberly and Diane met with him the first time to get a handle on the situation and what might possibly be done to make the best of this and bring this young man through it, better for the experience. What were his desires and goals in life. What would he pursue if not for this legal trouble? They discovered that the young man had not finished high school and that he wanted to do so. He also wanted to be a chef. He loved to cook and wanted to learn how to make some fantasy dishes, he wanted to get his education and someday open a restaurant to rival some of the best. He loved his girl friend and her children. He felt it his responsibility to care for them all.

A plan of action was developed. He would apply to a local school to get his GED and some training in culinary arts. Once in the culinary arts program he could be paid during training. He could take his classes at night. They also found out that his reading skills were very poor and they directed him to the local literacy counsel for help. He further applied for and received a job at a local factory where the owner was willing to work with him around his education and training schedule. This job would further provide benefits for his family. He applied to and was accepted at a local out patient addictions counseling program and he attended support meetings on a daily basis. After doing this for about 4 months, it was time to go to court and receive the sentence for past crimes committed. He went in front of his judge, took responsibility for his actions and his lawyer presented the facts as to his actions since his arrest. His judge, a compassionate and understanding man, who took these actions into consideration, explained to this young man that before coming into the court room, the judge had decided to render a 3-7 year sentence upon him in state prison. The judge had further decided that since this man had been so committed to his goals and had worked so hard in the past 4 months, and mainly because he was ready to take responsibility for his actions,; his sentence would now be a 3-7 year sentence with the first 3 years spent in the county work release facility so that he could continue the things he had already started. The last 4 years of his sentence would be on parole, provided he successfully completed all of his current goals and the work release program. This sentence would satisfy the needs of the community to punish the aforementioned criminal acts and it would satisfy the needs of the court to recognize positive actions taken and to positively rehabilitate a young man. He went directly from the court room to the work release center that day and not to state prison. He did successfully complete his GED program and the culinary arts school. Upon his completion of the schools, Emmanuel's Hands staff and board members were permitted to pick him up from the work release center one evening and take him out to a fancy restaurant to be waited on and celebrate the successful completion of the schooling. He further went on to complete the work release program and upon his release back into the community he chose to enter an in patient drug rehabilitation, long term program on his own. He felt he needed some more time and education in the problems of addiction, relapse and recovery. One year prior to the end of his parole sentence, he began college courses at the local community college. He successfully completed and graduated both college and his parole sentence. The young man then moved back to his home town where today he owns and operates a successful, upscale restaurant.

A plan of action was developed. He would apply to a local school to get his GED and some training in culinary arts. Once in the culinary arts program he could be paid during training. He could take his classes at night. They also found out that his reading skills were very poor and they directed him to the local literacy counsel for help. He further applied for and received a job at a local factory where the owner was willing to work with him around his education and training schedule. This job would further provide benefits for his family. He applied to and was accepted at a local out patient addictions counseling program and he attended support meetings on a daily basis. After doing this for about 4 months, it was time to go to court and receive the sentence for past crimes committed. He went in front of his judge, took responsibility for his actions and his lawyer presented the facts as to his actions since his arrest. His judge, a compassionate and understanding man, who took these actions into consideration, explained to this young man that before coming into the court room, the judge had decided to render a 3-7 year sentence upon him in state prison. The judge had further decided that since this man had been so committed to his goals and had worked so hard in the past 4 months, and mainly because he was ready to take responsibility for his actions,; his sentence would now be a 3-7 year sentence with the first 3 years spent in the county work release facility so that he could continue the things he had already started. The last 4 years of his sentence would be on parole, provided he successfully completed all of his current goals and the work release program. This sentence would satisfy the needs of the community to punish the aforementioned criminal acts and it would satisfy the needs of the court to recognize positive actions taken and to positively rehabilitate a young man. He went directly from the court room to the work release center that day and not to state prison. He did successfully complete his GED program and the culinary arts school. Upon his completion of the schools, Emmanuel's Hands staff and board members were permitted to pick him up from the work release center one evening and take him out to a fancy restaurant to be waited on and celebrate the successful completion of the schooling. He further went on to complete the work release program and upon his release back into the community he chose to enter an in patient drug rehabilitation, long term program on his own. He felt he needed some more time and education in the problems of addiction, relapse and recovery. One year prior to the end of his parole sentence, he began college courses at the local community college. He successfully completed and graduated both college and his parole sentence. The young man then moved back to his home town where today he owns and operates a successful, upscale restaurant.

Over the years, there would be many success stories just like this one. Board members would come and go, but the three founders would remain close and in charge of the program. Emmanuel's Hands has come to be recognized by the corrections community in the Lehigh Valley as a successful and well respected program that offers rehabilitation, compassion, guidance and hope to those who are truly interested in making a life of better choices for themselves. Kimberly, while still remaining a constant presence in the program, has gone on and finished college herself. In 1998 she graduated Suma Cum Laude with a degree in psychology from Lafayette College in Easton PA. She currently works full time in the mental health field while continuing to raiser her 2 sons, one of whom has severe mental health issues.

Kiersten D'Alonzo is also still a presence in the program. After attending college at Kutztown University, she graduated in 2000, with high honors, and is currently working in the field of education. It has long been a desire of her's to teach in a special needs school. She is living with Kimberly and together they are raising and caring for Kimberly's 2 sons. From time to time, both Kimberly and Kiersten go back inside the walls of the prison to try and help others who are just beginning their journey on the road to recovery.

Diane continues to direct Emmanuel's Hands on a part time basis. She works full time in the field of real estate as a sales agent and is working on her broker's license which she hopes to have by the end of 2003. Her chosen career allows her the time she needs to care for and direct the needs of this program that is very close and special to her heart.

The original board members have all moved on. Bill Brinton is now living in a Midwestern state with his family, Pastor Ed Tucker has been transferred to a church in the Lancaster County area of the state, Dale Wrag is now fully retired from all work and trying to maintain his health.  The current board chairman is a young man who was transferred into Pastor Tucker's position at Salem United Methodist Church, Pastor Mark Young. He is extremely active in the program and often you will find him in the prison with Diane, running the program workshops. Dave Sharpless remains the treasurer of the program. There are several new board members, also bringing with them a vast amount of experience in the field of criminal justice and addictions. Currently the program consists of the Choices Workshops