What We Do

Residence Program: A Pathway to Lasting Success

Our Residence Program offers more than just housing—it provides a transformative foundation for stability, independence, and long-term success for women reentering society after incarceration. Each year, we welcome approximately 100 women into our two NARR-accredited reentry residences, ensuring they have a safe, supportive, and sober living environment as they rebuild their lives.

We take a holistic approach to reintegration, addressing the most significant barriers to success: housing instability, lack of healthcare, unemployment, and the need for recovery support. From day one, residents receive essential resources, including new clothing, hygiene products, and a cellphone with service, empowering them to take their first steps toward independence.

Each woman benefits from our core services, such as Reentry Peer Support, Case Management, and Career Development. We also provide critical healthcare support, ensuring access to urgent dental care and covering medical costs not included by Medicaid to promote overall well-being.

Beyond these essential services, we foster a strong, lasting community through family nights, recovery meetings, life skills workshops, and monthly social events—reinforcing a support network that extends well beyond their time in the program.

By integrating evidence-based practices, trauma-informed care, and an unwavering belief in each woman’s potential, our Residence Program is not just a second chance—it’s a true opportunity for lasting transformation.

Peer Support Program: Rebuilding Lives Through Connection

At Journey to New Life, we understand that reentry is not just about securing housing and employment; it’s about finding a supportive community that fosters hope and resilience. Our Peer Support Program provides individuals recently released from incarceration a safe space, essential resources, and guidance from those who have walked a similar path. We know that the transition back into society can be overwhelming, so we are committed to providing immediate emergency support to ensure individuals don’t face this challenge alone.

When someone is released from prison, they often have little more than the clothes they’re wearing and a small box containing their personal belongings. For those not residing in one of our houses, their first point of contact is with one of our Reentry Peer Support Specialists during walk-in hours. Here, they are welcomed with compassion, their immediate needs are evaluated, and we provide support ranging from clothing, hygiene products, and food, to help obtaining vital documents like identification, birth certificates, and social security cards. This is crucial to ensuring that individuals have the necessary tools to begin rebuilding their lives with dignity and security.

In addition to immediate emergency support, we focus on long-term stability and success. Our program includes weekly peer-led recovery groups, reentry navigation services, and access to a network of community-based resources to help individuals regain independence. To help combat the isolation many feel after incarceration, we also offer structured social events, leadership opportunities, and community engagement activities. These initiatives foster connections, build self-esteem, and reduce the risk of reoffending by strengthening the social fabric that is so often lost during incarceration.

Through our comprehensive approach, we empower individuals to take an active role in their own success, offering not just assistance, but a pathway to lasting change, confidence, and independence. Our Peer Support Program is designed to guide individuals toward a life of stability, self-sufficiency, and meaningful community engagement, helping them to break free from the cycle of reentry challenges.

Career Development Program: Gaining Meaningful Employment

At Journey to New Life, we believe that stable employment is key to a successful reentry. Our Career Development Program helps individuals recently released from prison secure and sustain meaningful work, laying the foundation for long-term stability and self-sufficiency.

Our program goes beyond just finding a job—it’s about creating pathways to careers. We provide personalized job counseling, helping clients build strong resumes, highlight transferable skills, and overcome employment barriers. Through job search assistance, we ensure participants are job-ready by connecting them with felon-friendly employers and essential resources such as childcare and transportation support.

Case Management Program: Guiding the Path to Stability

At Journey to New Life, we recognize the significant challenges individuals face when reentering society after incarceration. Our Case Management Program offers personalized, comprehensive support, providing each client with a dedicated advocate to help them overcome obstacles and pave the way to a stable, independent future.

With a holistic, strengths-based approach, our case managers work closely with clients to address immediate needs—such as safe housing, healthcare, and employment—while also focusing on long-term goals like financial independence, education, and personal growth. The process is collaborative, with our trained professionals guiding clients to identify their unique needs, set realistic goals, and navigate life’s challenges.

We connect clients with essential resources, ensuring they have the tools and support required to successfully transition into independent living. Through this partnership, our Case Management Program empowers individuals, helping them build the self-sufficiency and resilience necessary to thrive after incarceration.

Community Engagement Program: Raising Awareness and Advocacy

At Journey to New Life, we believe that lasting change requires both support for individuals and broader community involvement. Our Community Engagement Program plays a critical role in educating the public about the unique needs of individuals recently released from incarceration and advocating for policies that support successful reentry.

Our Community Engagement Manager leads the charge in outreach and education, traveling throughout the community to deliver presentations that highlight the challenges faced by our clients. These presentations help raise awareness, reduce stigma, and foster a deeper understanding of the complexities of reentry, while promoting empathy and community support.

In addition to education, our Community Engagement Program takes an active role in advocacy at both the local and state levels, championing policies that positively impact those navigating reentry. Through awareness, education, and advocacy, we help create a more supportive environment that empowers individuals to rebuild their lives and thrive.